SUV slams into TV workers at Women’s Amateur

BARRINGTON, R.I. – Two members of the television crew at the U.S. Women’s Amateur were hospitalized Thursday morning after an SUV ran into a tractor transporting a movable camera platform.

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2011 U. S. Women's Amateur Rds. of 32 & 16

View images from Thursday's action of Rounds of 32 and 16 at Rhode Island Country Club.

The accident occurred on Nayatt Road, just off of the 15th tee at Rhode Island Country Club. The driver of the SUV left the scene, according to Golf Channel production manager Jack Trigg. Two Golf Channel employees hopped into a truck of their own and chased the driver, Trigg said. They called the police to report his license-plate number. Trigg said the man was taken away in handcuffs.

Golf Channel cameraman Brian Quinn was strapped via safety harness into the spider tower and suffered facial injuries when his camera whipped around and hit him in the left side of the face. Trigg said the camera was destroyed. Trigg said the crew members were a split second from more serious injury. He expects Quinn to be back to work Friday.

The driver of the tractor, Jeremy Buckingham, also was transported to a local hospital, reportedly with back pain. He’s a contract worker for M.B. Network Towers.

“When this happens to someone, it’s like family,” said Trigg, who noted that up to 100 crew members will be working on the telecast on show days. “We’re a very close-knit group.”