Man hospitalized after tree slams onto him the day before his wedding
Posted: Sep 24, 2011 2:00 AM EDT | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 9:29 AM EDT
A soon-to-be husband is in the hospital after a tree crashed down, pinning him underneath the day before his wedding.
His fiance’s mother told ABC 57 he went out into the woods, about half a mile behind his home in Lakeville, to cut down a slab of wood to put under the cake for the country-themed wedding.
But, what was supposed to be a nice jester turned into a bizarre accident when the tree he was cutting slammed onto his back.
Luckily, rescuers said the man was able to get out his cell phone to call the Lakeville Fire Department.
The Assistant Chief told ABC 57 rescuers had to scream out his name to finally find him, use a chainsaw to cut the tree down to pull him out, then carry him a half mile to the open field where he was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
Nearby neighbors said since the area is usually calm, with the sounds of traffic and animals occasionally breaking the silence, this afternoon was a different story.
“I looked out the window, and I saw a brown SUV turn around and go down the road. Then a police car turned around and went after it. So I was like what happened? I don’t get it?” said Sarah Abbitt.
Abbitt and her little brother are homeschooled, and said they feel bad for their neighbors.
“Oh shoot, this is going to be heart wrenching for the fiancé,” Abbit said.
When the man was airlifted, rescuers said he could not feel his legs.
As Friday night, he was listed in fair condition at South Bend Memorial Hospital.
His fiance’s mother told ABC 57 he had to have surgery on his vertebra, but was moving his toes earlier in the evening.
The accident happened around 1 p.m. Friday, the wedding was supposed to be Saturday.