By Mike Hazlip—
A tree trimmer in Citrus Heights on Monday was seriously injured when the chainsaw he was using lacerated his arm, while he was working 40 feet up in a tree.
The incident occurred near Twin Oaks Avenue and Garry Oaks Drive Monday. Metro Fire Battalion Chief Chris Reed said it appeared the top of the tree fell and caught a rope holding the worker’s chainsaw. Reed said the chainsaw was pulled down and rebounded back up when it lacerated the man’s arm.
Upon arrival, first responders called for additional aerial rescue resources after arriving on scene, but the man was able to lower himself to the ground, Reed said.
“I personally wish he would have stayed where he was so he wouldn’t lose consciousness or lose grip,” Reed said, adding the worker was a “tough guy.”
Reed said the worker’s arm was almost completely amputated, but the man remained conscious and aware of his surroundings throughout the incident. The worker was transported to Mercy San Juan in good condition, Reed said.
Aerial rescues are something Metro Fire trains for, Reed said.
“It’s not unheard of, it’s uncommon, we don’t do it every day. We plan and practice for these things.”
