By J.J. Kindred
The Daily Times
TOWNSEND, Tenn. — A 42-year-old Townsend man got an early Christmas present Sunday afternoon: He walked away practically unharmed when a 30-foot tall tree rolled over on his leg.
According to Townsend Fire Chief Don Stallions, firefighters received a call between 1:45 and 2 p.m. saying that a tree had fallen on an individual on Laurel Road in the Laurel Valley area, and pinned the man’s leg against a stump.
Stallions said the tree had apparently been cut down, then slid down an embankment. He said the man, who was not identified, was stable and only complained of ankle pain after he was rescued, which took about 30 to 45 minutes.
The Townsend Police Department and Rural/Metro Ambulance Service were also on the scene.
“We had to use chains and some rope equipment and some chain saws,” Stallions said. “It was a Christmas miracle — we had a rope rescue crew ready to go and we were down there with our saw. He said, ‘I think I can walk up the hill,’ and he declined treatment.
“It was a delicate operation,” Stallions continued. “The tree was still on the hill, and to secure the tree and get pressure of his leg, we ran the danger of making the situation worse. The guys did a good job. It was the best ending you could hope for.”
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