A 30-year-old man working on a storm damage clean-up crew was hospitalized yesterday afternoon after being struck by a tree he was cutting down along State Route 128 west of Yorkville.
Anderson Valley Fire Department Battalion Chief Angela DeWitt could not disclose the specifics of the patient’s injury. She did tell us his injuries required a hospital to provide advanced life support protocols typical when a patient’s circulation and or breathing need support.
Battalion Chief Dewitt said the 30-year-old man was “part of the crew working to clear Highway 128 after the extensive damage from the late January snow storms.” Yesterday, they were working near the intersection of State Route 128 and Yorkville Ranch Road.
While the young man was cutting down a tree, Battalion Chief Dewitt said the tree “barber chaired” and struck him. Barber chairs occur when a tree unexpectedly splits vertically and hinges overhead. These situations are very dangerous leaving the saw operator vulnerable to the tree crashing down from above.
After assessing the patient, first responders requested an air ambulance land at the Boonville Airport but the pilot declined due to mechanical issues.
Battalion Chief Dewitt said Anderson Valley Fire’s ambulance transported the patient to State Route 253 transferring the patient to a medic bound for Adventist Health Ukiah Valley.
We will update readers when we learn the status of the young man.
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