Tractor-trap man stuns all after leg amputated

By KEITH PERRY and NZPA

The farmer who survived five days trapped under a tractor has had his left leg amputated.

Doctors at Christchurch Hospital said Sam Layton's limb was too badly damaged to save because it had been starved of blood for so long.

But they continued to be amazed by Mr Layton's recovery and said he was chatting away to his daughter and staff.

He moved out of intensive care and into a general ward yesterday, where his condition was described as very stable.

Last night, friends and colleagues of the 58-year-old loner said it was incredible that he was found alive after his three-tonne tractor rolled on him, trapping his leg, while he was cutting firewood at a remote high-country location at Lake Coleridge, 79km from Christchurch.

Mr Layton survived on water from a flask and managed to use a stick to grab his overcoat from the overturned tractor.

He later joked that he had been dreaming of a bottle of whisky.

An Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) investigation yesterday found that the tractor did not meet safety standards.

Spokeswoman Margaret Radford said a prohibition order had been placed on its use. "The prohibition notice states that the roll-over protection is inadequate."

The tractor was also being used for a purpose other than for which it was intended.

Mr Layton would be interviewed later, she said.

The office had never dealt with an occupational accident where a person had been missing and injured for so long.

"It's rather unusual ... [the investigation] will probably take some time."

Ms Radford said OSH was concentrating this year on smaller firewood contractors nationwide.

"They don't have the benefit of big companies behind them and often work in isolation."

It became clear yesterday that Mr Layton's chances of being found were even slimmer as he had told his partner in the firewood contracting business, Richard Currie, that he was going to stay with his daughter. He made no mention of chopping wood.

When Mr Currie returned from his Christmas break, he was concerned that he could not reach Mr Layton at his daughter's home and went looking for him.

Coleridge Downs owner Barry Hopkinson, who allows Mr Layton to collect firewood on his land, said locals were feeling guilty that they had not gone to his aid.

"No one notices when he comes home because he is a bachelor ...

"It's quite incredible that he was found because no one would normally venture to that spot as it is pretty rugged terrain," said Mr Hopkinson.

"He didn't tell anyone he was going to get wood.

"It's frightening to think he could have died there and wouldn't have been found for weeks."

Chris Roy, a rescuer, said Mr Layton must be an incredibly tough individual.

"The paramedics probably spent an hour just stabilising the guy."