State Trooper Mitchell Reed along with two other individuals help pry a worker from a wood chiper last week and acted quickly to stop severe bleeding from the injuries, saving the man's life. (Submitted photo)

MARGARETVILLE – In critical situations minutes can be crucial.

State Trooper Mitchell Reed stationed in Margaretville was less than three minutes away when he heard a high priority call being dispatched by Delaware County 911 on Thursday, January 7.

At approximately 9:38 a.m., a man working for a tree removal service was at a residence on Dry Brook Road in Margaretville when his leg got caught in a wood chipper.

Two others at the scene helped the man by putting the wood chipper in reverse, freeing his leg then applying a belt to his leg but it wasn’t enough to stop the severe bleeding.

When Trooper Reed arrived on scene he immediately jumped into action and used his division issued tourniquet to slow the bleeding before Margaretville EMS arrived.

The man was transported to Margaretville Hospital then later transferred to Albany Medical for treatment.

The man has a long road ahead of him and we wish him a speedy recovery, but he is alive today because of the heroic actions and quick thinking by the civilians and Trooper Reed.

– From NY Troop C Public Information Officer Aga Dembinska