CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Wis. — A tractor crash in a Chippewa County apple orchard sent 25 people to the hospital Wednesday morning.
According to Cory Jeffers, deputy chief of the Chippewa Fire Department, two hay wagons carrying adults and children collided. According to Travis Hakes, Chippewa County Sheriff, one wagon lost control while going down a hill.
Officials initiated a mass casualty protocol and 25 people were taken to various hospitals. Marshfield Medical Center-Eau Claire said they saw seven patients from the incident who were treated for minor to serious injuries. Hakes said three of those involved suffered “life-threatening injuries.”
One helicopter was called in for assistance.
WCCO
“Everyone was on high alert, everyone was professional and did a great job treating the patients and getting the job done,” Jeffers said.
The children were reunited with their parents, Jeffers added.
Peter Micheels, principal of St. Mark Lutheran School in Eau Claire, said they are working with the county sheriff’s department and “focusing on reuniting the children with their caregivers.”
“When we face difficult times, we entrust everything to the Lord’s care and trust in his guiding hand,” Micheels said.
This is a developing story. Check back on WCCO.com for more.
