Extrication efforts likely save man’s foot

Monday, October 23, 2017
Firefighters work to extricate Chad Presser from his 1990 Mazda Miata early Saturday morning north of Greencastle. Responders freed Presser from the wreckage and he was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital.
Courtesy Roachdale Police Department

The response of three local fire departments may have saved a Lizton man’s leg and foot following a Friday-night crash.

With a surgeon on the ground prepared for amputation if necessary, firefighters from Greencastle, Bainbridge and Clinton Township worked for 90 minutes to extricate 29-year-old Chad A. Presser.

Presser’s convertible was cut in half and he faces a long road to recovery, but he escaped with both his feet and legs.

“He is going to recover,” Roachdale Town Marshal Mike Mahoy said.

Mahoy and two of his reserve officers, Jason Richey and Ben Brown, happened upon the wreck while on their way to Greencastle.

With Putnam County sheriff’s deputies already occupied with a shooting in Cloverdale, Mahoy led the investigation outside his jurisdiction.

At approximately 11:45 p.m., Presser was apparently northbound on U.S. 231 when he lost control of the 1990 Mazda Miata for an unknown reason.

The car spun and left the east side of the roadway, striking a telephone pole with the driver’s side. It came to rest facing south, directly across the road from the entrance of New Hope Fellowship (formerly Little Dude Ranch) at 2450 U.S. 231 North.

The heavy impact just behind the driver’s side front wheel pinned Presser’s feet and legs.

Mahoy said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, although Presser was alert and talking to responders throughout the ordeal.

Putnam County Operation Life was dispatched to the scene, as was a Lifeline helicopter.

However, as extrication efforts continued, a second helicopter was called to the scene, this one carrying a surgeon, should Presser’s foot require amputation.

However, rescue personnel were able to get him free, cutting away much of the car in the process.

He was then airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Presser suffered compound fractures in both feet and legs, as well as internal injuries.

Mahoy said he spoke to Presser’s mother on Sunday, who said her son was going to require multiple pins in his feet and legs, extremities but that he is expected to recover.

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  • The second helicopter did not come was put on stand-by, so the surgeon was not there. If extracation took any longer the surgeon would have arrived. Luckily they were able (after over an hour of extrac.) get him free.

    -- Posted by kids03 on Tue, Oct 24, 2017, at 10:17 AM
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