01:21 PM MDT on Sunday, April 16, 2006

Associated Press

KOOSKIA - Kooskia resident Rudy Hicks is recovering from surgery to repair five breaks in his back after an accident at Clearwater Forest Industries.

Hicks was injured after a 1500 pound sheet of metal slid from atop a pile of boards, pinning him for an hour.

Hicks says the only thing that saved him was that he landed with his left knee tucked under his chest, providing one lung enough room to partially expand and keep him alive.

Hicks, a dry kiln operator, was trapped at the mill for an hour before a lumber truck driver pulled up and heard him yell.

Mill manager Rodney Krogh referred to the accident as a minor one, saying it could have been worse.