Soberanes Fire Tree Felling Injury 2016

The Sawyer did the face cut, then bored into the tree to do the back cut. Once into the tree, black sawdust started coming out—indicating that where the two tree trunks joined to the base, the tree was unsound. When the Sawyer made the back cut (boring in), the tree shuddered. A six-foot long branch/limb broke off and started falling to the ground. The Spotter hollered “Look Out!” But, because the saw was still running, the Sawyer couldn’t hear him.

The branch/limb hit the Sawyer in the hardhat and right shoulder. The force drove his hardhat down onto his safety goggles, broke his nose, and threw him to the ground. His head hit a stump and debris, causing lacerations to his head. He was unconscious for approximately one-half minute. Personnel onsite stabilized the Sawyer (stopped the bleeding) and requested an extraction by helicopter. Medical personnel on the helicopter did an assessment and flew the Sawyer to a hospital. The Sawyer was diagnosed with a deep bruise on his right shoulder, scratches on his face, a broken nose, two black eyes, and lacerations to his head that required stitches. He was released from the hospital and went home to recover from his injuries. He was expected to return to work in approximately one week.

Extended Attack, Falling Operation, Chainsaws, RLS, Medevac, Medical Emergency, Hit by Tree