Harvard firefighters save elderly man trapped beneath overturned tractor

HARVARD, Ill. (WTVO) — An elderly man spent hours Sunday trapped underneath an overturned tractor until he was rescued by Harvard firefighters, according to officials.

The Harvard Fire Protection District reported that rescuers were called to the scene at a creek near Bunker Hill and Island Roads on Sunday afternoon.

Authorities said there was no paved access to the site on the rural property, and the rescue equipment used had to be transported by pickup trucks or all-wheel drive vehicles.

When the victim was found, only his head was above water.

A heavy-duty front loader was used to free the man, who had spent 3 hours trapped beneath the machinery before being discovered by his family.

Rescuers were able to free him within 25 minutes of their arrival, according to the fire department.

The victim was airlifted to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, where he remains in critical condition.