WINONA, Minn. – A farm worker from Eitzen, seriously injured up Pleasant Valley, was found in a quickly organized search and airlifted to a hospital. The man, age 65, had been reported missing about 4:20 p.m. This was a couple hours after he failed to return from mending fence. He was located two hours later in a remote area and hoisted by cables into a State Patrol rescue helicopter. Although serious, his injuries were described as non-life threatening. The first-response team, comprising 35 persons, was mobilized by the Winona County sheriff’s office. Neighbors with four-wheelers helped. The man had been on a tractor in the bluffs off Ciounty Road 17ab0ve Blackberry Road just out of Winona. Rescuers said he was ejected when his tractor hit gravel on a trail. Judging from the dried blood on his injuries, the accident likely had been three to four hours earlieir, first-responders said.
Hoisting victim to helicopter. The injured man was in dense forest and rough terrain. Ground evacuation would have been difficult. Image: Winona County sheriff
New search rescue alliance
The Minnesota State Patrol Air Rescue Team, which includes two firefighters from St. Paul, flew 100 miles to the site. Winona County sheriff’s officers have trained recently with MART. The rescue was the second with MART near Winona within three days. Assisting agencies: Wilson Fire Department, Winona County search and rescue, Winona County mounted posse, Winona County emergency management, Winona Fire Department, Winona ambulance, Winona police, Gundersen Air.