Photos by Dave Stewart
MANCHESTER, NH – Firefighters returning from a previous emergency Oct. 5 were flagged down by some adults at about 7 p.m. who indicated that a young boy was trapped in a tree at 176 Blucher St., and couldn’t get down.
Upon evaluation of the situation, it was determined that a 9-year-old boy had climbed the tree up to about 12 to 15 feet in the air. When he proceeded to climb down he slipped and his lower leg and knee became wedged in the ‘V’ section of the tree, where two large limbs came together.
Initially firefighters attempted to vertically lift him from his position but it became apparent that this strategy would not work, as it was causing the patient additional pain. Additional firefighters with specialized tools and training were called to the scene. Emergency medical care was rendered on the boy while fire crews assessed their options. It was determined that we would have to remove the tree from the child in order to rescue him without further harm. The “jaws of life” apparatus was used to spread the two large sections of tree apart while fire crews stabilized the child from above. Once the tree was spread apart enough the child was hoisted vertically until he was freed at which time he was safely lowered for a medical evaluation.
District Chief Michael Gamache reports the boy suffered minor injuries including scrapes, bruising and swelling. His parents were taking him to the hospital for further medical evaluation.
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