Worker Severely Hurt After Port Everglades Saw Accident

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- It was a dangerous day on the job for a Port Everglades employee who suffered a serious injury from a work saw.

The worker was using a powerful circular saw to cut a water pipe Friday afternoon when something caused the saw the slip.

"As he was cutting that water pipe, he either lost control of the saw or the saw kicked back, causing a significant laceration across his chest and abdomen," said Mike Jachles with the Broward Sheriff's Office.

That cut stretched nearly a foot across the front of his body from his stomach up, officials said. When Fire Rescue arrived, he was in serious condition stuck in a hole, waiting for help.

"He was in the trench when our fire fighters got here," said Jachles. "Despite his injuries, the patient was conscious, alert and able to talk."

It happened on the north side of the port next to the Eisenhower Blvd entrance at the 17th Street Causeway. Shortly after the accident, crews were back on the job, continuing to fix that water pipe. Fire rescue tells us that 39 year old victim is one very lucky guy.

"He was very fortunate," said Jachles. "It's a cutting saw, they're power tools. Tthey could cause a lot of danger. He was lucky in that regard, but still, nonetheless, sustained a significant laceration."