Chainsaw worker injured by falling tree at Jilliby
UPDATE: A chainsaw worker will join his heavily pregnant wife in hospital after a tree he was cutting fell and crushed his leg at Jilliby State Conservation area.
Central Coast
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A man, 30, was taken to John Hunter Hospital with a suspected broken leg and a nasty gash after his chainsaw became tangled in some vines and the tree he was cutting fell on him.
The only silver lining is his expectant wife will not have to go far to visit him given she is already at the same hospital and due to give birth on Friday.
Multiple paramedic crews, police and the Central Coast Rescue Squad were called to the scene shortly after 10.30am.
When they arrived they found the man had been working to clear trees at the bottom of a 30m cliff.
The hazard reduction works were being done below a high voltage electricity tower on the cliff above.
Rescuers said the man’s chainsaw became tangled in some vines which had caused the tree he was cutting to come away and land on his left leg.
The Toll Rescue Helicopter was bought in but it could not access the man with a winch because he was under the electricity lines.
Central Coast Rescue Squad lowered a stretcher down and were able to lift him up to the top of the cliff where he was taken by 4WD ambulance to a staging area near Jilliby Rd.
He was then taken by road ambulance to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
He told rescuers his wife was already at hospital where she was due to give birth tomorrow
NSW Ambulance Inspector Greg Wiggins when they arrived to find he was at the bottom of a cliff they knew it would be challenging.
“Paramedics worked with other emergency services to assess risks in reaching the patient, including the undertaking of a vertical rescue,” he said.
“Decisions were made in consultation to ensure the best outcome was reached without putting the safety of emergency services personnel and that of the patient’s at any further at risk.
“We undergo a high-level of training to allow us to execute our duties in these treacherous scenarios.”
“This situation had the potential to be a lot worse. Thankfully in this instance the man did not have serious injuries.”
