Grandparents of man run over by plane said quick thinking may have saved life

A split-second move may have saved a Boeing worker who was run over by a plane Friday night.

               Josh Divers was helping to move a parked Boeing 787 at Paine Field in Everett when something went wrong.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News North Sound reporter Lee Stoll spoke to the victim's grandparents who said their grandson helped save his own life.

Divers’ grandfather, Russell Divers, said many of his favorite memories with his grandson were made while building classic cars.

“He’s just very, very tender, very sincere,” said Russell Divers.

Josh Divers’ grandfather said Josh called Friday morning to tell them he would be at the airfield moving a plane and working on its landing lights.

Russell Divers said he was watching the news Friday night as crews worked for more than 30 minutes to free a man trapped under the tire of a 787.

               Josh's father later called to say the man in the middle of it all was Josh.

“It was very shocking, and then to realize it was Josh.  It took a few minutes to sink in,” said Russell Divers.

Josh is now at Harborview in serious condition with serious injuries to his legs, but his grandfather said the accident could have been worse, and even fatal.

               He said Josh grabbed what he could as the tire rolled over him.

“He used the chalk, which he was setting at the wheels to pull himself up, to keep him from getting further injured."

Russell Divers said he doesn't know what went wrong, but he's grateful for the few things that went right and saved his grandson’s life.

“From what we understand, he remembers something but he doesn't really remember what happened."

Russell Divers said friends, co-workers and family are doing all they can to be supportive.  Josh has been alert enough to recognize a few people who have stopped by.

In the meantime, Boeing, the Department of Labor and Industries and the Machinists Union have all launched separate investigations.