Published: January 13, 2010 12:47 pm      

Man pinned by tree rescued

Victim able to call for help on cell phone, use saw to help rescuers find him

By PAUL LORENZ

paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com

McLEANSBORO — A local man pinned by a felled tree was able to use his cell phone — and a chainsaw — to call for help.

Terry Wheeler, of Route 5, McLeansboro, suffered multiple injuries after a tree landed on him Saturday afternoon on property in South Flannigan Township.

Wheeler was cutting down a tree, and had gotten out of the way in anticipation of it falling, but it unexpectedly changed direction, Hamilton County Sheriff Greg Brenner reported.

“It looked like it hit a stump or another tree and bounced over on him,” he said.

Though severely injured and pinned by the tree, Wheeler was able to get to his cell phone and call for help, Brenner said. A neighbor was among those who came looking for Wheeler, but wasn’t initially able to find him, the sheriff said.

But Wheeler’s chainsaw — still running — was within his reach; the neighbor had Wheeler on the cell phone, and he was able to rev the chainsaw to help rescuers locate him, Brenner said.

“If he couldn’t get to his phone, it’s likely he would have lain there and froze,” the sheriff said.

Wheeler’s injuries included a broken shoulder, back, both legs and ribs; he was transported by helicopter from the scene directly to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind., and initial surgeries on his left leg and back went well, Brenner said.

Sheriff’s department and Harre Ambulance personnel, as well as local emergency rescue workers, responded to the call, and family members commended their work, Brenner said.

“They said everyone did an outstanding job and worked together very well,” he said.