Sanitary employees dig woman out after vehicle rollover at HoCo landfill

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — Last Monday, Feb. 20, a woman dumping solid waste at the Houston County Landfill was pinned by a roll-off truck after it overturned on top of her. First responders arrived on scene and extricated the woman, transporting her husband, who was also inured, and herself, to the hospital.

One group, however, got there before all others, as they were on the scene at the time of the incident: Two employees of Ryland Sanitation, Matesa Tard and Richard Owens.

Upon hearing the 911 call, Houston County Fire sent several units to the scene, including Search and Rescue, to ensure they had the resources necessary to find and assist the trapped woman — Tard and Owens, were already helping to dig the woman out from all the material she was under.

“As we were getting ready to leave and pulling out, I just happened to look out my rearview mirror. I looked back and told Matesa [that] the truck had flipped over,” Owens said. “I jumped out my truck and ran back there. I saw a dude who was pulling some dirt.

“He started moving the dirt, and there was a lady.”

Tard and Owens both grabbed shovels, and began to dig the woman out from the materials on top of her, digging out her head and torso.

“She said she couldn’t hardly breath, it was over her. Her head was sticking out, but it was [covering her] from her neck down,” Tard said. “It was instinct that kicked in.”

“I would want someone else to help me, it’s another life, another human being, so I think the instinct kicked in with both of us.”

Owens and Tard were both recognized by Ryland Environmental for their quick response to the situation at hand, helping to ensure the trapped woman could breath while first responders made their way to the scene and remove the overturned vehicle from it’s place on her leg.

Tard and Owens both told The Journal they hope the woman who was trapped is safe. According to Fire Chief Stoner on the day of the incident, she was taken to Atrium Health Navicent in Macon while in stable condition.

Sharon Simon, officer manager and human resources for Ryland Environmental in Macon, said that the company is thankful for Tard and Owens’ actions.

“We’re so grateful. We pray every morning together, we work as a family, and we want to treat our community and customers as family as well. We’re extremely proud,” Simon said.

For more information on the turnover at the landfill, you can refer to the Feb. 22 edition of The Houston Home Journal, or read about it on our website, www.hhjonline.com.

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