Victim Rescued After Entrapment in Industrial Wood Chipper in Orangetown

TAPPAN, NY — September 23, 2025 | 08:24 AM
A multi-agency rescue effort successfully freed a victim whose legs were trapped in an industrial-grade wood chipper on Tuesday morning in Orangetown, New York.

Emergency units from Department 21 were dispatched to the scene following reports of a person trapped in heavy machinery. Assistant Chief S. Neuendorf (21-2) was first to arrive and confirmed that a single individual had both feet entrapped in the machine.

Rescue-Engine 21-1502 and Aerial Ladder 21-75 responded promptly and coordinated with South Orangetown Ambulance EMTs and Rockland County Paramedic Services (Medic 21), who were already providing emergency medical care to the victim.

Due to the severity and complexity of the entrapment, officials requested assistance from the Rockland County Technical Rescue Team as well as Fire Coordinators 44-1 and 44-8.

A pivotal role in the rescue was played by the Orangetown Sewer Department, whose employees utilized a plasma cutter to cut through the commercial-grade steel casing of the chipper. This precision cutting allowed rescue personnel to create an access point and safely extricate the victim from the machinery.

Following extrication, the patient was stabilized and transferred to EMS for transport to Westchester Medical Trauma Center. A Medivac helicopter had been requested, and a landing zone was established by the Sparkill Fire Department, but air transport was ultimately canceled due to inclement weather.

The Orangeburg Fire Department provided district coverage during the incident, ensuring uninterrupted emergency response elsewhere in the area.

The scene was turned over to investigators from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Orangetown Police Department. An investigation into the cause and circumstances of the incident is ongoing.

Officials praised the rescue effort as an example of effective interagency coordination and professionalism under pressure.

“This was a highly technical and time-sensitive operation,” said a spokesperson for Department 21. “The successful outcome was made possible by the training, cooperation, and dedication of everyone involved.”

Agencies Involved:

• Department 21 Fire & Rescue

• South Orangetown Ambulance Corps

• Rockland County Paramedic Services

• Rockland County Technical Rescue Team

• Orangetown Sewer Department

• Orangetown Police Department

• Rockland County Sheriff’s Office BCI

• OSHA

• Sparkill Fire Department

• Orangeburg Fire Department

Status of the victim has not been publicly released at this time.