Lawsuit: Algonquin Teen's Arm Amputated Following Raging Buffalo Ski Lift Accident

Photo credit: GoFundMe website

A 17-year-old Algonquin boy has filed a lawsuit against the company that manufactured a conveyor belt system in which his arm became entangled last year while working at Raging Buffalo Snowboard and Ski Park, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Patrick O’Donnell was forced to have his arm amputated following the incident at Raging Buffalo, 19N475 Route 31, that occurred on March 2, 2014, the newspaper reports.

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The lawsuit claims the conveyor belt made by Magic Carpet Lifts Inc. was unreasonably dangerous and did not have an emergency stop mechanism that was easily accessible, according to the article. Firefighters had to cut the machinery apart to free the Jacobs High School student’s arm, according to the Daily Herald.

O’Donnell was airlifted following the accident to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

Several local fund-raisers were held since the incident to help cover expenses for O’Donnell and his family. A GoFundMe page has collected $5,700 for the family.

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READ MORE ON PATCH:

• Local Teen Recovering Following Accident at Raging Buffalo
• UPDATE: Injured Raging Buffalo Employee Remains in ICU at Local Hospital