SWANVILLE — Waldo County Sheriff Scott Story and Sheriff Elect Jeffrey Trafton honored Swanville citizen Daniel Littlefield Monday, Dec. 29, for helping save the life of a neighbor, whose tractor trailer fell onto his chest.

On Sunday, Dec. 28, at approximately 2 p.m., Waldo County Dispatch Center received an emergency call concerning an accident on Swan Lake Avenue in Swanville. There, Thomas Benner, 48 years old, had been working on his loaded tractor trailer when the jack he was using malfunctioned, causing the trailer to collapse onto his chest.

Deputies Merl Reed and Jonathan Shaw responded to the scene and were advised while in route that family was unable to free Benner and that his condition was becoming grave.

Littlefield, 46 years old, of Swanville, was working on a vehicle at a neighboring residence when he learned what was happening nearby. Littlefield, who operates a local wrecker business, responded with his wrecker and was able to lift enough weight on the rear axle of the trailer so that Benner's family to free him from under the trailer.

Belfast Fire and Ambulance personnel responded and the ambulance transported Mr. Benner to the Waldo County General Hospital where he was transported via life flight to Eastern Maine Medical Center.

On Dec. 29, Story and Trafton honored Littlefield by presenting him with a letter of thanks from the Sheriff's Office, a Certificate of Recognition and presented him with a Waldo County Sheriff's Office challenge coin for his actions which directly resulted in saving Benner's life.