Everyone...please be careful out there. Saftey should come first.

As many times as we all think we're in the right frame of mine.....an accident still happens. I'm just re-affirming that we all need to take care for our family's sakes as well as our own.

Sunday my dad, both of my boys, and myself were clearing timber fall left over from our January ice storm. I've always concidered my dad to be one of the most saftey minded people I know....but.....he was on the wrong side of a tree this time. The tree was already leaned over but most of the tree was still attached....so it was like a huge spring. After making the cut dad kept his eyes on the tree but it made no difference. The end came up, shifted forward, and sprang back towards him. He tried to move backwards out of its way but it still got him across both of his legs. Both bones crushed below the knee. I cant tell you all how much this bothers me. If there can be a good thing.....his effort to get out of the way probably saved his life. If he hadnt moved....it would have taken him down across his chest. Its amazing how much adrenaline coarses through our bodys in the event of an emergency. I doubt we could budge that tree now. Managed to lift it off him instantly. Dad was EVAC'd to St. John's in Springfield MO due to the nature of the accident. At this time he is doing great and the doctors feel optimistic about his leg healing back. They placed a titanium rod to place the bone fragments around....in four weeks he will get a leg cast. All I can say is thank you God!
I've played the whole event through my mind at least a 100 times and hour since the accident. I amlost lost my dad.

PLEASE EVERYONE.....Be careful out there!

Dave G

Dave, very sorry to hear about the accident, but also very glad your Dad is still around to recover. Will say a prayer for his speedy recovery.

Mike

Dave, What a scary thing, glad to hear the prognosis is good. Give our best to your pops. Thanks for sharing the words of caution with us.

Pat

glad your dad will be ok hope he heals fast don't know how old he is but I do know first hand how long it takes at 60 yrs old a loooong time we will say an extra prayer for him ...ted & pam oh btw at least you don't live in ca. he would he in the prison ward for cutting down a tree.

Sorry to hear this Dave, prayers going out to your pop & the rest of the family...joe

Hey Dave ; I think we all do that, what if deal.
Then we think maybe we should have ziged instead of zaged.
But it sound like what ever happened, your dad made the move that saved him.
Maybe it's a sign, So take a deep breath and enjoy your dad while he's still here.
Oh and if you think you've gone over it in your mind alot, ask him how many times
he's gone over it in his mind. Anyway I wish you guy's all the best with his recovery.
Kurt

Dave, very sorry to hear about your dad. We'll add him and your family to our prayers and wishing him a full recovery.

Thanks for sharing this with us Dave.
Larry M

Dave, Can not tell you how sorry and glad I am about your Dad. Sorry that he has to go through this and very glad that he "IS" going to be alright.

But Dave your job and ordeal is just begining, your Dad is going to need you and the family now more than ever. Living through an accident can be the easy part. Recovering takes all of you guys working just as hard as you can to get him well and kicking again. Good luck to all of you I will keep a good thought!!!

Roland

Sorry to hear about your Dad. Here's prayers for a speedy recovery...Dennis

Dave I was really sorry to read this about your dad. I have known woodsmen who have done it for years get hurt. You really can not always tell what a tree will do. If you ever need to talk I am here.

Sorry to hear of your dad's accident. But very please to hear that he's alive and with time and effort will mend. I pray that his recovery is quick and complete. I know from personal experience that bones in old bodies tend to heal slower than those in our youth, but with patience and therapy it will happen.

Dave glad your Dad is safe and alive. It will be a long road for his bones to mend, but like you said, thank god he's alive. When I was a teenager a friend of mine was riding dirt bikes with his Dad. A guy was out in the forest trimming trees near the road they were on, as the came ripping around a turn they heard a tree snapping and falling, both gassed it hard, the treecaught his Dad with the tree top branches and knocked him off his bike. He said his heart nearly stopped as he dug underneith the branches for his Dad. He also said he knew his Dad was ok, because his Dad's first words were, "god, so that's how a fly feels right before the end!"
We will pray for a fast and full recovery for your Dad.

Too bad about your dad's accident, but thank God he had the presence of mind to get his body out of the way. I have cut a lot of trees over the years and know from experience how treacherous they can be especially ones that are already damaged. You can never be too careful. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Wow. You are all bringing a near tear to my eyes. Not that I felt everyone wasnt a caring bunch. I know better. Thank you soo much!!!

We got him home just now.....sorry for the long return response. I'm a member of many forums but this is the only forum I had the time to drop in on at the time. Dad is 65 but a very strong man as far as health is concerned. He has over the last year devoloped continuous parkenson's in his right side (the same side as his accident) so rehabilitation is going to extended compared to most. Dad is still in good spirits though. Thank you all for your blessings and thoughts. I have to relay this to my other forums so no-one will feel I forgot about them. I really havent had time. I've gone non-stop since Sunday.

Again....thank you all!

Dave G

Dave, I'm glad he's ok. God surely needs him around for a while (as do you). My dad lives in Viola, AR and got nailed with the ice too. I'm thankful he's got good neighbors helping him with the trees because he lives by himself. Tell him we're all praying for a speedy recovery.

Yes. Viola got hit hard too. Its going to many years before the Ozarks looks like it did.

Dad is in good spirits and back to his playful joking and picking at everyone. I feel like he will recover just fine with everyones help.

Again.....Thank you everyone!

Dave G

Godspeed on his recovery and just glad to hear you where there helping him .

Dave,

Your dad is very lucky.

I was once cutting a big branch off of an oak tree. The branch was tied off, I was in the correct spot, and all the safety precautions I took didn't help when the branch decided to make a left turn.

I jumped out of the way but not fast enough. The end of the branch, (which was about 11 inches in diameter) struck me in the chest. :eek:

It broke one of my ribs and the xray should the splintered rib missed my heart by, well lets say you could have used a plastigauge strip to show the clearance.

Yeah, I was scared. Thank god my friend was with me when this happened.

You can never be too safe.

Prayers to your dad, and hope he recovers well.

-Dan

You've cerntainly got my condolances, and heartfelt sympathies. Glad it wasn't worse.