Crews rescue man trapped in tree
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Man Trapped In Tree
Rescue crews work to free a man who was trapped in a tree outside a North Providence home.
Albert Gamble
A man who was working on a tree became trapped Monday after a limb broke off.
Published: June 8, 2009
Updated: June 9, 2009
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I.—A man was seriously hurt Monday when a falling tree limb trapped him in a tree for more than two hours.
The man was working on a tree at 97 Angell Ave. when he was pinned against the tree by a branch that he had cut.
“He was cutting a limb down and it twisted on him,“ said homeowner Mike Columbare. “It knocked him over when it started to come down and it twisted on him.“
The man was dangling about 30 feet in the air and hanging upside down for more than two hours.
“I just jumped up the ladder and tried to stabilize his leg and hold it … It was broken,“ Columbare said.
One of the man’s legs was sticking up in the air, pinned by one of the branches, which were estimated at 1,500 pounds. His other leg was put into an air cast by emergency crews, who also had the man hooked up to intravenous fluids.
Fire officials said both of the man’s legs were broken.
“It was more than a branch, it was a 1,500-pound limb that fell and pinned his leg into the tree. We tried to using our expertise to get him out. We were a little unsure about how the limb would move if we started cutting branches so we called a couple of local tree companies and assist us,“ said Battalion Chief Edward Digiuilo of the North Providence Fire Department.
Digiuilo said the department’s ladder trucks couldn’t get into the back yard. After about 45 minutes, two tree-cutting companies arrived and with the fire department, they were able to get the man down.
He was taken by ambulance to an awaiting helicopter, and then flown to Rhode Island Hospital. He is listed in critical condition.
The homeowner said he hired the man, who he knew, to cut down eight trees. He said he was hurt after cutting the seventh and tallest tree.
The homeowner said the man used a ladder and not a bucket truck, but was experienced in cutting down large trees.
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Reader Reactions
Ok now I have all the facts. That is a shame.
lol If want all of the facts, you may need to go to projo… 
I’m going to disagree with you till all the facts are in. My neighbor has a tree service. He has been in business for years. Advertise thru the yellow pages and so on. My son worked for him for a few summers. He did not have a bucket truck. He would have a way of climbing trees where he was strapped to the tree. He was unbelievable to watch. He cut trees in our yard also built my niece & nephew a really cool tree house.
It’s an assumption yes, based on the fact no reasonable pro tree servicemen would use a ladder to cut down tree tops…
Just one question. Did I miss something in the 2 stories I read where does it say this man was unlicensed Uninsured?
I agree with “mike464.“ He is absolutely correct.
This a perfect example as to why one should NEVER allow an unlicensed, uninsured individual to do work in your home or on your property, even if you know who they are.
In these tight economic times, people often try to save money by doing things “under the table.“
Keep in mind that if someone working on your property is hurt, you are liable, as in this instance. And, you could be sued as well.
Also, with respect to issues such as plumbing and electricity, the consequences of using unlicensed workmen can be fatal. Remember what happened to the family in Providence who used someone they “knew” to install a boiler. They all died from carbon monoxide poisoning, and the person who did the work was an illegal immigrant.
It’s more to hire licensed and insured contractors, but the alternative is not worth the risk, in my opinion.
And . . I am NOT a union worker, just a careful homeowner.
Hey! I just looked at the pics and just realized “North Eastern Tree Service” got a free plug.
I hope the owner pays for their services as well…
See how expensive looking for the easy/cheap way out can be?
Bob Cumberland
Where did you read anything about
Craigslist?
Artical states…
“The homeowner said he hired the man, who he knew, to cut down eight trees. He said he was hurt after cutting the seventh and tallest tree.“
Ahh Bob…
No need to sign your name at the bottom, posted by” does it for ya.
i.e. “Posted by ( Bob Cumberland ) on June 09, 2009 at 11:10 am” cool huh.
He knew the Man ?
Or did he hire him from Craigslist ?
I think i may have looked at this job months ago advertised under free fire wood on Craigslist.
It was too much for me i could have used the wood but too much risk taking down all those tree’s.
Bob Cumberland
This is why you hire licensed contractors who are insured.
I called a tree service out of Coventry to remove (2) trees with a cost of $600.00 and thankfully no one got hurt.
I sure hope this man recovers soon, and never ever uses a latter to cut tree tops down again…
I also hope the home owners do not get sued, but help with the medical bills; at least…
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