Golf course worker hospitalized

A 61-year-old maintenance worker was hospitalized Thursday when the mini-tractor he was driving rolled over trapping him underneath while he was spraying a portion of the Portland Golf Course.

Two golfers rushed to the man’s aid and also called 911 requesting assistance from police and fire personnel.

Police and fire units responded to the course, which is located at 169 Bartlett St. Emergency personnel righted the vehicle and freed the man and immediately began performing CPR, Police Lt. Ron Milardo said late Thursday afternoon.

The man, who was not identified by police, was rushed to Middlesex Hospital. Then, once he was stabilized, the man was transferred to Hartford Hospital. By 3 p.m., Milardo said, the man was reportedly breathing on his own.

Milardo described the man as someone who has worked for the golf course owners “for a long period of time.”

The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m., as the man was applying liquid weed control from a three-wheel Cushman Turf Truckster, Milardo said.

The Truckster apparently drove up an embankment; the weight of the truck-mounted spray tank and the arms which fold down to spray the chemical became unbalanced and rolled onto its side, spilling the worker out onto the ground, Milardo said.

The vehicle then rolled over on top of him, Milardo said.

The Turf Truckster is reminiscent of the type of small three-wheeled vehicles that meter maids and parking agents used to use in many cities, Milardo said.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE>>