Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The man who was trapped and injured while working in a tree Monday afternoon
is in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital.

Lew Brice, 42, who works for B&B Yardworks in Warwick, was cutting a tree limb when it slid down the tree and wedged one of his legs straight up in the air, Police Maj. Paul M. Martellini said. He was trapped upside down near the top of the tree for about two hours, according to a police report.

"There was no way he was able to free himself," Martellini said.

Brice was rescued by the fire department and two tree companies the department called to the property at 97 Angell Ave. to help with the rescue, Martellini said.

Rescue crews took Brice to the North Providence High School field, from where he was taken by medical helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital, Martellini said. He was in critical condition there at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, hospital spokeswoman Ellen M. Slingsby said.

Workers from Davey Tree Service and Northeast Tree Service helped the fire department with the rescue, according to the police. They used bucket trucks to get close enough to Brice to help him. Brice was given intravenous fluids and other medical treatment while rescuers worked to free him, according to a police report.

The police report did not give the tree's height but said Brice was "at the top of a very tall tree."

The police also contacted the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is required when a worker is hurt on the job, Martellini said.

This story was originally published at 9:43 a.m.

 Tags  North Providence RI

Comments

Jay Ferguson said:

Lew is the hardest working most decent man I have ever had the pleasure to know. Our hearts and prayers go out to him and his family in this terrible time.

Link | June 9, 2009 12:16 PM
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ee53 said:

My thoughts and prayers go out to the injured man. I hope he will recover from his injuries.

I also hope his employer is licensed and insured. Otherwise, the homeowner is liable.

Link | June 9, 2009 2:15 PM
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ron cabral said:

bad scene,hope he pulls through ok,let this be a lesson to other home oweners,tree work is one of the most dangerous jobs,and only should be preformed by pros,we see people doing all sorts of crazy jobs in their yards,get well soon find diff.line of work,rcc

Link | June 9, 2009 5:04 PM
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Ron's Tree Service said:

My thoughts abd prayers are with you brother....

Link | June 12, 2009 8:46 PM
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