CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Wis. — A tractor accident at an apple orchard in Chippewa County sent 25 people to the hospital Wednesday morning.
According to Chippewa Fire District Deputy Chief Cory Jeffers, two hay trailers collided with adults and children. Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes said a wagon had 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 it has seen seven patients from the incident who were treated for minor to serious injuries. Hakes said three of those involved suffered “life-threatening injuries.”
A helicopter was called in to help.
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“Everybody was on high alert, everybody was professional and did a great job of treating the patients and getting the job done,” Jeffers said.
The children were reunited with their parents, Jeffers added.
Eau Claire’s St. Mark Lutheran School Principal Peter Micheels said they were working with the county sheriff’s department and “focused on reuniting the children with their caregivers.”
“When we face a challenging time, we leave everything in the Lord’s care and trust in His guiding hand,” Michaels said.
This is a development story. Check back with WCCO.com for more.