What started as a routine equipment check turned into an unexpected rescue mission for an Ohio construction crew—and eventually resulted in one very tiny new employee.
On July 14, Chase Guello, operating supervisor for River Reach Construction, was checking a Komatsu excavator at a job site in Leavittsburg, Ohio, when he heard a strange faint sound coming from inside the machine. After investigating, Guello discovered a tiny kitten wandering inside the excavator's engine area. To reach her, he crawled underneath the massive machine and removed its skid plate, finally freeing the little stowaway.
The crew searched the area for the kitten's mother and siblings but couldn't find them. Rather than leave her on her own, they arranged for her to spend about two weeks with an experienced foster caregiver while she grew stronger.
And naturally, a kitten discovered inside a Komatsu excavator needed an appropriate name. The crew named her Komatsu—or "Sue" for short.
Sue's rescue was captured on video and quickly attracted millions of views online. Her story even reached Komatsu, which decided its newest four-legged fan needed proper work attire. The company sent Sue her very own kitten-sized safety vest and hard hat.
Best of all, Sue's relationship with the construction crew didn't end with her rescue. She now lives with River Reach's shop mechanic, Jared, and his family. Once she's old enough, the plan is for her to travel to work with him and officially take up residence as the company's shop cat.
So Sue went from being trapped inside an excavator to having a family, a job and her own construction uniform.
Not bad for her first day on the job.
