A dramatic rescue unfolded in San Jose, California, after a tree worker suffered a medical emergency while cutting down a palm tree and ended up hanging about 75 feet above the ground. His harness held him in place, but his chainsaw continued running and nearby power lines added extra danger. Responders reported the worker was in and out of consciousness.
CAL FIRE launched a helicopter-based rescue — the first time the agency had carried out this particular operation. A rescuer was lowered from the helicopter and rappelled to the trapped worker, battling wind and the hazards posed by the power lines. The rescuer secured himself to the worker by clipping his own harness onto the injured man.
Rather than attempting to hoist both of them into the helicopter, the rescuer chose to control a descent down the tree while supporting the patient. Near the base, he unclipped the injured worker’s harness and carried him to waiting ground crews.
The entire operation lasted a little more than an hour. Emergency personnel on the ground provided immediate medical attention, and the worker was taken to a hospital for further care. Authorities noted the rescue involved many risks but praised the team for safely bringing the man down.