STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Sanitation worker airlifted after feet crushed at landfill

Tottenville resident, 61, transported by helicopter to Bellevue Hospital

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

JOHN ANNESE

ADVANCE STAFF WRITER

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Rescue workers airlifted a longtime city Sanitation worker off the former Fresh Kills landfill after his feet were crushed by a bulldozer yesterday.

Charles Kish, 61, was rushed by helicopter to Bellevue Hospital -- which specializes in reattaching severed limbs -- after the heavy machinery partially amputated the toes on both his feet and snapped the bone of his right ankle, officials said yesterday.

Kish, a Tottenville resident who has worked for the Sanitation Department since 1988, was driving the small "swamp cat" bulldozer and left the vehicle.

"He walked behind it, and the thing rolled over his leg," said FDNY Lt. Ralph Mustillo.

Two Emergency Medical Technicians, Martin Finkelstein and Wendi Ireland, responded, as did two paramedics from a "rescue medic" squad trained to work on trapped patients, Kathleen Devaynes and Kevin Laroy.

They administered intravenous medicines to Kish on the scene, but Mustillo said it became apparent that the best way to take him to the hospital was by helicopter, since the road to the top of the hill he was on might take too long to traverse.

"The landfill's very big. It was a long distance to get to the patient on top of the hill," Mustillo said.

So EMS coordinated with the Police Department's Emergency Service Unit, and the NYPD sent a helicopter to the scene.

"The key is to get him to a surgeon as soon as possible to have any chance," Mustillo said, adding that the ESU team quickly set up a landing zone.

Kish's condition at the hospital was not immediately known last night, and no one answered the door of his Yetman Avenue house.

Neighbor Lou Tredici said he and several other neighbors were waiting for an update on Kish's condition, and would be happy to assist in his recuperation.

"Good guy, nice guy. He's the type of guy that really helps everyone," Tredici said.