Sawmill victim Eric Jones’ family credits co-workers with saving his life

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The family of the young man who fell into the operating saw at SWS Sawmill on Highway 3, credits Eric’s co-workers with saving his life.

According to Jones’ grandmother, Carolyn Kilgore, the paramedics did a great job and Eric wouldn’t be here if they didn’t use their skills to save him. But she and Eric’s parents, Hope and Michael Jordan, believe it was Eric’s co-workers who deserve the credit for saving his life.

On Monday morning Jones was working at SWS Sawmill on Highway 3 in Warren County near the IP plant when he fell into the operating saw. Jones suffered devastating injuries including the loss of his left arm, severe cuts to his leg and abdomen that exposed his entrails.

“Two of Eric’s co-workers should be acknowledge in some way because I think they saved his life. Even the doctor said so,” said grandmother Kilgore. “Trey Hynum and Jay Pugh were with Eric when the accident occurred. Both young men took their shirts off and wrapped around the end of Eric’s arm. They found ratchet straps to use as tourniquets. Then Trey held Eric’s hand and talked to him while Jay held the wound on his side where it’s to my understanding his intestines had been pulled out of until paramedics arrived. You know that had to be so traumatic to them witnessing that and being able to react to it and to the best of my knowledge they have no safety training.”

The efforts of the co-workers, paramedics, nurses and doctors helped Jones to overcome an accident that few could have survived.

Jones remains hospitalized and medical professionals were able to save his leg, repair damage to his ribs and parts of his left arm.

The Vicksburg and Warren County community rallied around Jones with a GoFundMe. Jones is known for his upbeat personality and friendly smile while working at Divine Donuts in the community.