Deep Gap injured in tractor wreck

By Melanie Davis

A Deep Gap man was airlifted to Johnson City Area Medical Center following a tractor accident Thursday afternoon.

According to emergency personnel, the older man, whose identity has not been released, was traveling alone on an old logging road on a tractor when the equipment overturned, pinning him underneath.

Mark Parson, chief of Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department, estimated the time of the accident to be near 3 p.m. based on family statements.

The man was discovered by neighbors and the emergency call was made at 5:48 p.m. Members of the Deep Gap fire department and Watauga Medics responded to the scene. Parsons said due to the position of the tractor, extrication equipment could not be safely used to the free the victim.

Eddie Moretz and his two sons, all Deep Gap residents, responded with a backhoe, construction equipment commonly used for excavation. The backhoe was used to safely lift the tractor and free the man beneath.

Approximately 45 minutes after emergency personnel arrived on scene, the victim was transported by Watauga Medics to the Parkway Elementary School parking lot. From there he was airlifted, via Wings Air Rescue, to JCAMC. His condition is unknown.