Tiny Kitten Rescued From Inside an Excavator Becomes Ohio Construction Crew’s Newest “Team Member”
A tiny orange kitten has captured the internet’s attention after being rescued from an unlikely hiding place: inside a construction excavator in Ohio.
The kitten, later named Sue, was discovered by workers from RiverReach Construction after they heard her cries coming from inside one of their machines.
The heartwarming rescue was documented on video and quickly went viral online, turning the tiny feline into an unexpected member of the construction crew. (WLWT)
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Photo source/credit: RiverReach Construction, reproduced by Equipment World. (Equipment World) Source: Equipment World — Komatsu the Kitten’s Rescue from Excavator Goes Viral |
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Photo source/credit: RiverReach Construction, as published by WLWT. (WLWT) Source: WLWT — Construction crew rescues kitten, makes her new team member |
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Photo source/credit: RiverReach Construction; rescue documented by UPI. (UPI) Source: UPI — Kitten rescued from excavator becomes part of construction crew |
Kitten Found Inside a Komatsu Excavator
The rescue happened at a job site in Leavittsburg, Ohio, when RiverReach Construction operating supervisor Chase Guello was inspecting an excavator.
Guello heard what sounded like a faint noise coming from the machine. After checking the equipment, the crew discovered a tiny kitten inside the excavator’s turret.
To get her out safely, the crew removed the machine’s skid plate, allowing them to reach and rescue the frightened kitten. (UPI)
The kitten was eventually named Sue, short for Komatsu, the brand of excavator where she was found. (WLWT)
The Crew Couldn’t Find Her Mother
After rescuing Sue, the construction workers searched the area for her mother and possible siblings.
However, they were unable to locate any other cats nearby. Sue was therefore taken into foster care for several weeks while she recovered and received the care she needed. (WLWT)
The plan was eventually for Sue to stay with the company’s shop mechanic and his family. Once she was old enough, she would begin accompanying him and eventually become a shop cat. (UPI)
From Construction Site Rescue to Shop Cat
Sue's story didn't end after the rescue.
Her adorable appearance in a tiny safety vest and hard hat helped make her a social-media sensation. Her rescue videos attracted millions of views and caught the attention of Komatsu itself. (Equipment World)
The equipment manufacturer reportedly sent Sue her own miniature high-visibility vest and hard hat, giving the little kitten an outfit that matched her new construction-family identity. (UPI)
While the viral caption describes Sue as the “newest member of the construction team,” the more precise description is that she is being cared for as a future shop cat, rather than an actual construction worker on an active job site. (WLWT)
A Tiny Survivor With a Big Story
What makes Sue’s story especially heartwarming is how unlikely her discovery was.
She was hiding inside a large piece of heavy machinery, where she could easily have remained unnoticed. Instead, the workers heard her cries and stopped to investigate.
What began as a routine equipment check turned into an unexpected animal rescue—and ultimately gave one tiny kitten a new home and a very unusual “career.”
The story is also a reminder that animals can sometimes find their way into dangerous places, particularly around machinery and construction equipment. Checking equipment carefully before operation can help prevent accidents involving animals that may be hiding inside or underneath machinery.
VERDICT: LEGITIMATE STORY
Yes, the rescue story is legitimate. Multiple news reports have independently documented the incident, including WLWT and UPI, while RiverReach Construction documented the rescue and subsequent updates on its social media. (WLWT)
The viral graphic is therefore based on a real rescue, although its wording about Sue becoming a “member of the construction team” is more playful than literal.
Today, Sue's future is considerably safer than the place where she was first discovered: instead of hiding inside heavy machinery, she is being cared for by the construction crew’s family and is expected to become their shop cat when she is old enough. (UPI)
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