CLAYPOOL – Quick thinking by a relative may have saved the life of a man severely injured in a farming accident, authorities said today. Police received a 911 call at 1:18 p.m. Monday reporting that a man had suffered a severed arm. When officers arrived at 7710 S. CR 300E, Claypool, they found the property owner, Bill L. Linn, 59, with his left arm severed above the elbow. After investigation, it was determined that Linn was struck by a mower deck being towed behind a tractor and operated by a power take-off. Linn was unable to communicate details of the accident to officers at the scene, but it appeared Linn was off the tractor, which was in gear with the power take-off engaged. Linn started the tractor, which lunged forward, striking him and then striking a pickup truck and barn nearby. Police said Linn’s son noticed the accident and ran to the scene. After assessing the situation, he applied a tourniquet to his father’s arm. Emergency medical personnel at the scene said the son’s actions likely saved his father’s life, authorities say. Linn was transported by Lutheran Air Ambulance to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he was initially listed in critical condition due to blood loss. He remains in critical condition as of this morning.
