A tiny kitten found trapped inside a piece of heavy machinery in Ohio has gone from construction-site rescue to the newest member of the crew.

Workers with River Reach Construction in Barberton discovered the kitten in July after hearing cries coming from inside one of the company’s excavators.

Operating supervisor Chase Guello followed the sound and eventually freed the kitten from the bottom of the Komatsu excavator.

Komatsu, or “Su” for short, was rescued by an Ohio construction crew after she was found trapped inside an excavator. July 2026. (River Reach Construction)
Komatsu, or “Su” for short, was rescued by an Ohio construction crew after she was found trapped inside an excavator. July 2026. (River Reach Construction)

“Here’s our rescue mission of the day. Normally it’s a piece of equipment, but it’s this little guy,” Guello said in video of the rescue.

The crew searched for the kitten’s mother but couldn’t find her, so they turned to a local foster family to help nurse the tiny feline back to health.

They also gave their unexpected new coworker an appropriately construction-themed name: Komatsu, or “Sue” for short, after the brand of excavator where she was found.

Sue spent about two weeks in foster care before returning to her rescuers, according to the crew.

Komatsu, or “Su” for short, was rescued by an Ohio construction crew after she was found trapped inside an excavator. July 2026. (River Reach Construction)
Komatsu, or “Su” for short, was rescued by an Ohio construction crew after she was found trapped inside an excavator. July 2026. (River Reach Construction)
Komatsu, or “Su” for short, was rescued by an Ohio construction crew after she was found trapped inside an excavator. July 2026. (River Reach Construction)
Komatsu, or “Su” for short, was rescued by an Ohio construction crew after she was found trapped inside an excavator. July 2026. (River Reach Construction)
Komatsu, or “Su” for short, was rescued by an Ohio construction crew after she was found trapped inside an excavator. July 2026. (River Reach Construction)

Her story quickly attracted attention online, and the construction equipment company even sent Sue some pint-sized work gear, including a tiny safety vest and hard hat.

Now, Sue has a permanent home with River Reach’s shop mechanic, Jared, and his family. Once she’s old enough, the crew says she’ll return to work as the company’s resident “shop cat.”

Judging by the hard hat, she’s already dressed for the job.