By The Tribune-Review

Published: Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A gas drilling rig worker was seriously injured Wednesday in Salem Township today after he was trapped while repairing the equipment.

Slickville fire Chief Chris Filkosky said the man was in the midst of repairing the rig about 7 a.m. "when a piece of equipment somehow got a piece of his clothing and pulled him into the shaft, pinning him there."

The accident occurred along Story Road.

"Our (Slickville) department fire Capt. Tom Pfiefer and two other rig workers who were there did a great job freeing him by disengaging the hydraulic-operated piece of equipment that was pinning him. It took about 15 minutes," Filkosky said.

Filkosky did not know the victim's identity or the name of the drilling company for which he worked. Attempts to reach township officials for comment were unsuccessful.

Filkosky said the worker suffered multiple injuries, including a head injury. He was treated at the scene by Mutual Aid Ambulance, then taken by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

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