A Mount Vernon tree trimmer is in critical condition after suffering serious injuries on the job on Tuesday.
Mount Vernon officials say the next 48 hours are critical in his recovery. According to reports, he required surgery after being struck by a piece of equipment and a tree branch.
According to city officials, the accident occurred around 9:45 a.m., near the intersection of South Fifth Avenue and Fifth Street.
Nadia Blake, a Mount Vernon resident, says she witnessed some of the incident.
“It was simply a traumatic scene. “So, I wish him the best,” Blake says. They took him out of the picker while he was unconscious.
Kenny Raghubir, the owner of an auto shop, says he’s seen maintenance workers on the street recently.
“Yeah, they’ve been cutting the trees,” Raghubir says.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard reports that the injured employee was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx for treatment.
People in the community, including Ramon Jimenez, are wishing him well.
“Accidents happen anywhere,” Jimenez explains. “If somebody [has] been hurt, what we could do is just pray for that person to survive.”
City officials say an accident investigation is underway and issued a statement saying, “The city is fully cooperating with all relevant agencies to ensure a thorough and transparent review.”
Reference: Mount Vernon tree trimmer in critical condition after work accident