Feb 13, 2008 11:34 pm US/Central
Neighbors Help Family Recover From Farm Accident
BARRON, Wis. (WCCO) ―
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"I knew it was bad when I went to close my hand and I couldn't close it," said Michael Klatt, whose four fingers had been deeply cut.
CBS
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Sean Klatt was in the auger bin. The augers razor sharp blade cut through his foot cutting to the bone all the way to the Achilles tendon.
CBS
In January, on a farm in Barron, Wis., Michael Klatt and his 18-year-old son Sean were repairing an auger that mixes feed grain when a terrible accident occurred.
"It was my fault," said Michael. "I threw the wrong switch. It was just that quick."
Sean Klatt was in the auger bin. The augers razor sharp blade cut through his foot cutting to the bone all the way to the Achilles tendon.
"I was sure I lost my foot," recalled Sean.
Michael selflessly struggled to help his son with just one hand because he'd hurt the other in a farm accident 25 years earlier. As he reached, his good hand slipped.
"I knew it was bad when I went to close my hand and I couldn't close it," said Michael, whose four fingers had been deeply cut.
Emergency crews rushed the father and son to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
After that, the real help arrived for the Klatt family.
Neighbor Karen Schauf helped coordinate dozens of volunteers.
"Those first few days the yard was packed with cars. Everyone wanted to do something to help," she said.
Neighbors milked the cows, sorted the grain and made repairs, all for free.
"It's our teaching and our understanding that when there's a need we want to help," said Neighbor Darrel Friesen.
Nearly three weeks after the accident, that help keeps coming.
"It's just amazing we are just blessed," said Michael.
However, despite all of the neighbors' effort, the Klatts have decided this is not enough. They can't keep asking volunteers to come 40 hours a week to help them for the next two months. So they have decided they are going to have to sell all their animals.
"I don't know we have a choice," said Michael's wife, Jane.
He's been told it will be two months before he can work again. For Sean, it will be at least three months.
"We got to find a new way to make a living. It just can't be. And that's going to be the hard things," said Jane. For the Klatts there is no bitterness and no blame.
"I don't think it was anyone's fault," said Sean.
"He never blamed me. He could, but he doesn't. He's a good kid," said Michael.
Sean said as soon as he can walk he wants to start farming on his own. Doctors expect both men will make full recoveries eventually.
If you'd like to help the Klatts and their six children you can send donations to the Klatt Emergency Fund. Donations can be sent to:
St. Joseph's Church
Attention: Mary
827 LaSalle Avenue
Barron, Wis. 54812
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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