Pinned under a tree, 66-year-old man amputates own leg (When Trees Attack)

AP/sfgate ^ | June 6, 2007

[lowbridge]

Residents are pulling for a neighbor who was forced to amputate his left leg below the knee using pocket knives after a tree fell on him, pinning him for about 11 hours.

Al Hill, 66, was cutting trees on a property near the Big Dipper Mine last Friday when a tree fell on his leg and trapped him, authorities said. Alone in the woods and in an area where cellular phone service is spotty or nonexistent, Hill was forced to take the extreme measure to save himself.

Eventually, a neighbor in the area heard Hill's cries for help. Eric Bookey declined to talk about the events.

[SteveMcKing]

What kind of tree was it?

[diverteach]

Just WOW! Prayers up for his recovery.

[Grizzled Bear]

Damn! I don’t think I could ever cut off a body part regardless of the situation!

[Cobra64]

[Yo-Yo]

If I tried that, after I finished sawing through the last tendon, I’d look down and say “damn, wrong leg.”

[TexasNative2000]

The tree was getting even for global warming. . . . .

Trust me, that WILL be a serious comment by someone on the loony left.

[gas0linealley]

“What kind of tree was it?”

Most likely an Ent.

[Balata]

“Damn! I don’t think I could ever cut off a body part regardless of the situation!”

Wait a minute. I thought ‘Grizzled Bear’s’ were tough.

[Balata]

“If I tried that, after I finished sawing through the last tendon, I’d look down and say “damn, wrong leg.””

Then you could sue yourself. I’m sure there’s an attorney out there who would take the case.

[Grizzled Bear]

There’s “Tough.” And there’s “Damn it - Tough.” That old man is “Damn it - Tough!”

[Eagles6]

Same thing happened here in PA a few years ago.

The article said there is no electricity in a town of 200, 60 miles from the state capital. What's up with that?

[Lijahsbubbe]

Eventually, a neighbor in the area heard Hill's cries for help. Eric Bookey declined to talk about the events.

It must not have been too long after he performed the amputation. That stinks.

[SIDENET]

Then you could sue yourself. I’m sure there’s an attorney out there who would take the case.

[Jeff Chandler]

Cutting trees large enough to pin you down is the kind of work that requires a team for safety.

[Balata]

I’m just pulling your leg (no pun intended). You’re right that man is tough.

[Balata]

LOL! That’s who came to my mind as well!

[Boiling point]

So he couldn’t chip away at the tree with the knife first?

[Cobra64]

Cutting trees large enough to pin you down is the kind of work that requires a team for safety.

LOL

[Jeff Chandler]

That wasn’t a joke. The idea of anyone, let alone a 66-year-old, doing dangerous work without a buddy for backup is foolish.