Plymouth resident pinned by tree in backyard last week will make full recovery

PLYMOUTH — A homeowner was stuck in a brook during a tree-felling incident in his backyard last week, leaving him pinned for about 30 minutes. He suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, and was sent to the hospital in an ambulance.

The homeowner had been working to cut down a tree on his property on June 21, which happened to be situated along the bank of Clay Brook. It was a routine saw job — until the tree rolled in a way "he was not anticipating and resulted in the tree rolling and landing on his legs, pinning him to the ground with part of his body in the brook,” according to Deputy Chief Dan Doucette of the Plymouth Fire Department, in a media release.

The homeowner, of New Hebron Road, was unable to call 911 due to how he was pinned — but luckily, he wasn’t alone.

First responders from the Plymouth and Campton-Thornton fire departments were called at 9:18 a.m. on June 21, for a water rescue. Upon arriving, they found it was a little more complicated. Additional personnel were requested, as well as a call for Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team helicopter transportation, “given the potential severity of injuries.”

The rescue effort was intense, and involved specialized equipment to lift the tree and safely remove the homeowner. Res-Q-Jack stabilization struts, a kickstand of sorts which helps stabilize moveable objects, were used by first responders.

They determined the homeowner was stable enough for ground transport, and the helicopter was canceled.

Firefighters stressed the importance of working with a buddy during high-risk construction jobs, like cutting trees down or using heavy machinery.

“It is important to ensure that when doing this type of work that you are properly trained and have a means of contacting emergency services in the event something happens,” Doucette wrote. “Had there not been another person with the patient, they could have been in the brook for several hours before getting access to help.”

First responders cleared the scene at 10:35 a.m. Ashland Fire Department provided station coverage, and Plymouth police assisted at the scene.