Miles Lagler recovering from farm accident
by Russ Pankonin
Grant Tribune-Sentinel
“Very blessed!”
That’s how Becca Lagler of Grant described how her family feels about the outcome of a June 28 farm accident that could have had a much more tragic ending.
Becca and Mark Lagler’s son, Miles, 18, is recovering from a farm accident he suffered while working on the Shawn Turner farm north of Grant.
Young Lagler was working on a planter on the Turner farm when the accident occurred.
Mrs. Lagler said Miles was standing beside a seed box on the planter when the hydraulics released, lowering the planter to the ground.
That action squashed Miles between a tire and the planter frame, near his mid-section and chest cavity.
After Lagler’s screams alerted coworkers, the hydraulics were re-engaged to free Lagler.
Lagler suffered traumatic asphyxiation when pinched by the planter.
Traumatic asphyxiation is a medical emergency brought on by intense compression of the chest. This leads to back-flow of blood from the right side of the heart into the veins of the neck and brain.
While Lagler remained conscious, he lost his sight from the compression and blood back flow. Knowing he was hurt, his mother said he laid down on the ground and a 911 call was made immediately.
The Grant Volunteer Fire Department responded and transported Lagler to the Perkins County Community Hospital in Grant. He was later airlifted to a trauma facility in Denver.
Mrs. Lagler serves as a flight nurse and is stationed in McCook. She was there at the time of the accident.
She later arrived at the hospital in Grant and was able to accompany her son on the flight to Denver.
Lagler, who just graduated from Perkins County High School, was active in sports and weight lifting. Mrs. Lagler said doctors told her his good physical condition helped him survive the incident.
Doctors also said the quick action to free him was also a key factor in the outcome.
Fortunately, Lagler did not suffer any broken bones and only minimal injuries, his mother said.
He was released from the Denver hospital Friday, June 30 and is home recovering.
He has regained his sight but it will remain blurry for a while as blood clears from the eyes. He also suffered significant bruising.
His mother noted it will take time for skin color in his face to return back to normal after the back-flow of blood into his head. He looks like he’s been in a prize fight, she added.
Miles and his family expressed extreme gratitude to the Grant fire department and their EMTs, as well as the staff at the hospital, for their response following the accident.
In her profession as a flight nurse, Mrs. Lagler said summertime represents the peak time for the occurrence of trauma incidents.
She urged people to observe safety precautions and exercise some extra patience when driving, working on the farm, taking part in recreation activities, etc.