May 23, 2012
COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A worker at the rock slide that has I-40 shut down got a gash on his head after a rock fell and hit machinery.
TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi says the man was operating a track hoe and working to get the rock down.
When the rock came down, it hit his machinery. He jumped out and ended up getting a minor cut on his head.
The worker was wearing all of his safety gear at the time, including goggles and helmet. "But this is dangerous work," Nagi told us.
He was responsive, walking and talking before he was put in an ambulance and taken to a local hospital. He has been released.
On Wednesday, TDOT awarded Phillips and Jordan, Inc., a Knoxville company the contract to cleanup the slide.
