Local man thanks co-workers for saving his life
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
A Mars Hill man credits co-workers’ quick actions for saving his life last week when his clothing became entangled in machinery as he worked at a potato house in Mapleton.
Emergency personnel were notified of the accident Oct. 10, with the Maine State Police, Crown Ambulance and Mapleton Fire Department responding. Trooper Jared Sylvia served as the primary investigation, assisted by Sgt. Josh Haines, Trooper Dan Marquis and officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Association.
“On Oct. 10 at approximately 10:30 a.m., State Police and Crown Ambulance were called to County Farms LLC’s potato house located at 114 Castle Hill Road in Mapleton for a workplace accident. Greg Cousins, 22, of Mars Hill, was working when his clothing became caught in a bin piler machine which pulled him in, causing serious asphyxiation-type injuries around his neck,” said Sgt. Haines, MSP.
Cousins was transported to the Aroostook Medical Center by Crown Ambulance and remained hospitalized due to his injuries until he was released on Saturday. Haines credited co-workers for saving Cousins’ life.
“The quick actions of Cousins’ co-workers getting him cut loose from the machine is commendable,” said Haines.
Cousins was in the ICU unit at TAMC for much of his stay, with a ventilator assisting him with breathing. After his release, Cousins said he was grateful to the others working in the potato house for cutting his hoodie free from the machine and calling for help and for emergency personnel who responded.
“I’d like to thank all the first-responders from Mapleton and Washburn, but also all of my co-workers, from truck drivers to the racking crew,” said Cousins.
He said his memory isn’t very clear on what transpired that day but he’s thankful to all for saving his life.
“My understanding is that they all worked very quickly and effectively to cut me down from the machine which I was caught up in and quickly started CPR,” said Cousins, a volunteer with the Mars Hill Fire Department and son of Gerald Cousins, who recently retired from the Presque Isle Fire Department.
As a firefighter, Cousins knows firsthand how important time is in saving a life.
“If it wasn’t for my co-workers’ quick and knowledgeable medical responses, I may not be here today. So once again I’d like to thank all the employees of County Farms and all of the first-responders and wonderful crew at Crown and TAMC for my very quick recovery. I’d also like to thank those who kept me in their thoughts and prayers,” said Cousins.
