CLAVERACK—Two Columbia County residents were seriously injured in separate, unrelated incidents the morning of Thursday, August 7. A woman, who suffered burns to 90% of her body, was airlifted to the Westchester Medical Center Burn Unit in Valhalla following a shed fire, Thursday, August 7 at 6:15 a.m.
State Police from Livingston, along with the A. B. Shaw Fire (Claverack) Department and Greenport Rescue Squad were disptached to a fire in a wooden shed near a residence at 5622 state routes 9H/23. An investigation revealed that the homeowner was severely burned during the fire. State Police have not released the woman’s name, but say she is currently listed in stable condition. An investigation into the cause of the fire and the woman’s injury are continuing. The shed, located near the home, was fully involved when firefighters arrived on the scene. A passing motorist reported the fire to the 911 center. Also, Thursday morning at 10:27 a.m. a farm hand became trapped under a tractor at Honey Dog Farm. 284 Rodman Road in Hillsdale. Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that deputies along with Craryville firefighters and the Community Rescue Squad were called to the farm where a man was trapped under a tractor. Kenneth Rice, 73, of Churchtown was mowing the property on a Kubota L4310D tractor pulling a Flex Wing Woods mower. Mr. Rice climbed off the tractor to open a gate at the entrance to a field when the tractor began to roll towards him. The front tire of the tractor ran over his body and Mr. Rice then became wedged under the axle of the left side rear cutter deck, which was not operating at the time. He was taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center for treatment of internal injuries. Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office are Captain John DeRocha, Lieutenant Wayne Lopez, Sergeant Eli Fieser, Deputies Kelly Briscoe and Bernard Roberts.
