Dark Ridge Tree Felling Incident 2009

On November 29, 2009, a Big South Fork FirePro crewmember was felling a snag­-topped hickory tree on the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park boundary in preparation for a prescribed burn. The Cumberland Gap Wildland Fire Module Supervisor noticed that the tree was not falling as expected and moved to the tree to assist with placing wedges. The tree then broke free and pivoted, falling against the Wildland Fire Module Supervisor--pinning him to the ground. Crew members immediately radioed for assistance and began cutting and removing the tree. Local EMS was transported to the scene, where the injured employee was stabilized and taken to a waiting helicopter for transport to the University of Tennessee Trauma Center for definitive care. 

Hit by Tree