Sue the Kitten: Rescued From an Excavator and Given a New Home
Quick Answer: Sue is a tiny orange kitten who was rescued in July 2026 after construction workers discovered her trapped inside a Komatsu excavator at a job site in Leavittsburg, Ohio. After the crew could not find her mother or siblings, Sue was fostered, adopted into the construction family's care, and eventually became their future shop cat.
FAST FACTS
- Name: Sue, short for Komatsu
- Animal: Domestic kitten
- Color: Orange
- Location of rescue: Leavittsburg, Ohio
- Rescuers: RiverReach Construction crew
- Equipment: Komatsu excavator
- Foster care: About two weeks
- Future role: Shop cat
Introduction
A routine inspection of heavy machinery turned into an unexpected animal rescue when workers in Ohio heard a tiny kitten crying from inside an excavator.
The kitten, later named Sue, had somehow made her way into a Komatsu excavator being used by RiverReach Construction at a job site in Leavittsburg.
Operating supervisor Chase Guello followed the sound and discovered the tiny orange kitten inside the machine. The crew carefully worked to free her, turning an ordinary equipment check into a rescue that would eventually give the kitten a new home.
A Kitten Crying From Inside an Excavator
The rescue took place at a RiverReach Construction job site in Leavittsburg, Ohio.
According to reports, Chase Guello was checking a Komatsu excavator when he heard a faint sound coming from the machine. After investigating, he discovered a tiny kitten moving around inside the excavator's turret and engine area.
The kitten was in a difficult position to reach. To free her safely, the crew removed the machine's skid plate and were eventually able to get her out.
The rescue was later documented in videos shared by RiverReach Construction, where the kitten's tiny size and unusual hiding place quickly attracted attention online.
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Photo source/credit: RiverReach Construction, reproduced by Equipment World. |
Why Was She Named Sue?
After the rescue, the construction crew gave the kitten a name connected to the machine that had unexpectedly become her hiding place.
The excavator was made by Komatsu, so the crew named the kitten Komatsu. They shortened the name to Sue, giving the tiny rescue cat a much easier nickname.
The name soon became part of the story as photos and videos of the kitten spread online.
The Crew Could Not Find Her Mother
Rescuing Sue was only the beginning.
After getting her out of the excavator, the construction workers searched the area for her mother and any possible siblings. According to the crew, they could not find another cat.
Because Sue was still very young, she was placed in foster care while she received the care she needed and gained strength.
Reports said she spent roughly two weeks in foster care before being placed with RiverReach's shop mechanic, Jared, and his family.
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Photo source/credit: RiverReach Construction, as published by WLWT. |
From Rescue to Future Shop Cat
Sue did not become an actual construction worker, despite the playful descriptions used in viral posts.
Instead, the crew planned for her to become a shop cat. Once she was old enough, she was expected to travel with the company's shop mechanic and eventually spend time at the company's shop under his care.
That distinction matters because the phrase “construction crew member” is mainly a fun way of describing how the workers adopted her into their working environment. Sue's actual role is much simpler: she became a beloved animal companion and future shop cat.
Komatsu Sent Her a Tiny Hard Hat
Sue's story attracted enough attention online to reach the company whose excavator had become part of her unusual rescue.
Komatsu sent the kitten her own miniature safety equipment, including a tiny high-visibility vest and hard hat.
The gear quickly became one of the most recognizable parts of Sue's viral story, giving the rescued kitten a construction-themed look that matched the crew that saved her.
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Photo source/credit: RiverReach Construction; rescue documented by UPI. |
SAFETY NOTE: Animals can sometimes hide inside, beneath, or around heavy equipment. The circumstances of Sue's rescue highlight why machinery should be inspected carefully before operation, particularly when equipment has been parked or left unattended.
How Sue Became an Internet Favorite
The rescue videos shared by RiverReach Construction quickly attracted millions of views.
People followed Sue's progress from a frightened kitten trapped inside heavy machinery to a healthy young cat being cared for by the people who rescued her.
Equipment World reported that the company's first rescue video received millions of views, while subsequent updates continued to attract attention from people interested in Sue's recovery.
The unusual combination of a tiny kitten, a massive excavator and a construction crew helped turn a local rescue into a widely shared animal story.
More Than a Viral Kitten Story
What makes Sue's story memorable is not simply the novelty of finding a kitten inside an excavator.
There is also a straightforward rescue story behind the viral images. Workers heard an animal in a potentially dangerous location, investigated instead of ignoring the sound, and took steps to remove the kitten safely.
When no mother or siblings could be located, the crew helped arrange care for the kitten rather than simply releasing her back into an uncertain environment.
That turned an unusual construction-site discovery into a second chance for a very young animal.
From Heavy Machinery to a Safe Home
Sue's beginning with RiverReach Construction was certainly unusual. She was discovered inside a large excavator, rescued by workers and then cared for through foster arrangements.
Her future, however, became much more ordinary in the best possible way: a permanent home, familiar people and a safe place to grow.
Eventually, the crew expected Sue to accompany their shop mechanic and become a shop cat once she was old enough.
Conclusion
Sue's story began when a RiverReach Construction worker heard a tiny kitten crying from inside a Komatsu excavator in Leavittsburg, Ohio.
The crew managed to free her, searched unsuccessfully for her mother and siblings, and arranged foster care while she recovered. She was later placed with the company's shop mechanic and his family, with plans for her to eventually become a shop cat.
Komatsu even sent Sue a miniature safety vest and hard hat after her rescue story spread online.
Takeaway: Sue may have started life in one of the strangest places imaginable for a kitten, but a careful equipment check gave her something much more important than internet fame: a safe home and a second chance.
More From The Pader
Rescue & Survival: Extraordinary Animal Stories of Courage and Second Chances
Amazing Animal Stories: Remarkable Animals and the Stories Behind Them
Animals & Humans: Remarkable Bonds and Encounters
Sources and Further Reading
WLWT — Construction company rescues tiny kitten from excavator
UPI — Kitten rescued from excavator becomes part of construction crew
Equipment World — Komatsu the Kitten's Rescue from Excavator Goes Viral
People — Kitten Joins Ohio Construction Crew Following Rescue From Excavator
This article was reviewed against contemporary reporting from WLWT, UPI, Equipment World and People. The core details checked include the July 2026 rescue in Leavittsburg, Ohio; RiverReach Construction's involvement; Chase Guello's discovery of the kitten inside a Komatsu excavator; the unsuccessful search for her mother and siblings; her foster period; her placement with the company's shop mechanic; the name Sue; and Komatsu's miniature safety gear.
The description of Sue as a “construction crew member” is treated as a playful description rather than a literal employment role. Current reporting describes her expected future role as a shop cat.
The Pader presents wildlife and science information using credible sources and accessible language. Scientific information may be updated as new research emerges.