East Bridgewater Police and Fire Departments Rescue Injured Tree Worker Stuck Nearly 50-Feet Above Ground in Tree

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Police Chief Michael Jenkins and Interim Fire Chief Kevin Nord report that the East Bridgewater Police and Fire Departments worked together to rescue an injured tree worker who was stuck in a tree more than 40 feet off the ground Wednesday.

The East Bridgewater Fire Department received a 911 call at 10:59 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26, reporting an injured tree worker in the backyard of the home on Northridge Drive.

The tree worker, who was secured in a safety harness, had climbed the tree using shoe spikes and was operating a chainsaw when a falling piece of the tree kicked back and broke his arm. The victim suffered some blood loss but did not lose consciousness.

Interim Chief Nord estimated that the tree worker was stuck about 47 feet off the ground. The tall pine tree was secluded in a wooded backyard area.

Deputy Fire Chief Craig R. Winsor responded to the scene with an engine tower and an ambulance but quickly determined that the situation called for a specialized rescue.

As incident commander, Deputy Winsor called in the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team (PCTRT), which includes firefighters from numerous departments, including two East Bridgewater firefighters.

The PCTRT utilized a 35-foot ground ladder, lashed it to the tree vertically and then used ropes, pulleys, and harnesses to reach the tree worker. Rescue personnel climbed to the high point of the ladder, secured the victim in a harness and helped to lower him to the ground.

The tree worker was treated at the scene and transported by ambulance to a nearby landing zone, where he was then transported via medical helicopter to Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials arrived on the scene to conduct an investigation. Mutual aid fire chiefs from Whitman, Rockland and Bridgewater responded and assisted at the scene.

“This was a real team effort,” said Interim Chief Nord. “Thank you to everyone involved in this coordinated rescue effort.”

East Bridgewater Police also responded to secure the scene and direct traffic.

“This was great work by all involved — police, fire and EMS — at the scene,” said Chief Jenkins. “We thank everyone involved for their prompt response in helping to rescue this man who was so high up in a dangerous situation.”

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