With tourniquet in hand, quick-thinking Gage County deputy saves farmer’s life

BEATRICE, Neb. (KLKN) – Last month, a Gage County sheriff’s deputy used a tourniquet to save a farmer’s life.

On the morning of Oct. 2, 71-year old Roger Beran was loading and unloading grain trucks at his brother’s farm.

When he returned from unloading one grain truck, he noticed a half-full truck begin to roll by itself.

Beran ran as fast as he could to catch up to it and reached for a ladder attached to the vehicle.

“I tried to grab those and had them for a little bit,” he said. “By that time, we were rolling a little too fast. I lost my footing.”

As Beran fell, the truck ran him over, crushing his left leg between the rear axle.

“I looked down because I knew it ran over my leg, and I was wondering if it was still there,” he said. “It was, but it was all tore up and wide open.”

While in pain, Beran reached for the cellphone in his pocket and tried to call for help. But he couldn’t get a signal.

Thankfully, his brother found him and immediately called 911.

Gage County Sheriff’s Deputy John Chavez got to the scene shortly before the rescue unit.

“I had placed a tourniquet on his left leg because there was some bleeding coming out of that leg,” he said.

Once medics arrived, they put on a second tourniquet.

Doctors had to amputate part of his leg, but now Beran is recovering at home.

Chavez said deputies began carrying tourniquets with them about five years ago.

“That is the first time I’ve ever used it,” Chavez said. “But thankfully, I had it. Thankfully I had the training and was able to help him out.”

He got the opportunity to meet Chavez a few weeks ago and thank him personally.

“I thank the Lord that he was there when he did get there,” Beran said.

He hopes Deputy Chavez gets the recognition he deserves and said he would like to see tourniquets included in first-aid kits.

Roger looks forward to getting cleared to drive but is continually grateful for Chavez and the first responders who kept him alive.

“Rescue squads, the helicopter crews, and the people up at Bryan West in Lincoln, if it wasn’t for them, I probably would not be here today.”