Man injured in tree stand accident

A White County man was injured Wednesday in a tree stand incident. White County Public Safety spokeswoman Ana Newberry said that at approximately 8:30 pm, officials responded to the report of a person in distress in the area of Ashley Drive, off Webster Lake Rd.

Newberry said, upon arrival, responders were advised by a sheriff’s deputy that a neighbor heard someone yelling for help but could not locate the individual. Newberry said firefighters, with the use of an ATV from a resident, carried personnel and equipment into the woods.

The person was located a short time later, hanging upside down from a tree stand.

According to Newberry, the man advised he was checking out his tree stand when he lost his footing and ended upside down with his foot trapped. She said the patient had been calling for help since 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Rescuers were assisted by Rego Cano and Josh Daniels, employees of About Time Tree Service, who live in the area. Newberry said the tree service workers made quick access to the patient and set up a rigging system to lower the patient to the ground.

The man, after being checked by medical personnel, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for what was believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

White County personnel thanked the many neighbors and the employees of About Time Tree Service for their assistance with equipment and manpower.

Jaime Chastain, who is a firefighter with White County Station 7, is a supervisor at About Time Tree Service. Lt. Chastain heard the call on the county pager and contacted his employees Rego and Josh, who live in the area, and had them assist the firefighters on the scene.

The neighbors provided the ATV, which transported firefighters and equipment back and forth from the emergency vehicles.

Chief Alexander brought the county POLARIS (ATV), where the patient was placed once evaluated by EMS and taken to the awaiting ambulance.