SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — An emergency helicopter had to fly a West Sunbury man to a Pittsburgh hospital Friday after an accident nearly severed his leg.

Bob Neal, 63, was riding in an old skid steerer and moving logs when one log rolled onto his left leg and pinned it against a bar on the machine, crushing his knee.

It occurred on property off Hines Road.

He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital.

Ron Steele, assistant chief of the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department, said the incident happened just before noon.

“It smashed his leg up pretty good,” Steele said.

Neal’s son helped remove the log with a crowbar.

“Everything was going smoothly and it just happened that fast,” the son said.

Property owner Jes Hines allowed Neal to operate the steerer and to use the logs for firewood.

Newer steerers have a cage that protects the user, which likely would have prevented the accident. Hines said he will get rid of the steerer.

“I know one thing: no more loading logs with that thing,” Hines said.

In addition to Slippery Rock fire crews, the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene.