A 62-year-old Lyndon Township deer hunter found himself hanging upside down for several hours about 40 feet up in a tree — caught in his self-climber early Monday morning.
Fortunately, he had his cell phone with him and was able to contact a neighbor, who, in turn, contacted emergency personnel.
The incident happened in the Green Lake area in Lyndon Township and members of the Chelsea Area Fire Authority as well as the Washtenaw County Technical Rescue team were called in to assist in the tricky rescue.
Chelsea Chief Rob Arbini said about 30 emergency personnel from various departments were on the scene, some of whom went up the tree to right the man before lowering him to the ground.
“His legs were pinched between the upper and lower mechanisms due to upper portion slipping down the tree and him losing his balance,” Arbini said.
The man was caught hanging upside down for about 2 hours before he was taken to University of Michigan Hospital with minor injuries.
Arbini reminded hunters to go with a friend and be sure your cell phone works in case of emergency.
The incident happened about a half mile into the woods.
The call came in at 7:06 a.m. and he was lowered down at 9:26 a.m., the chief said.
I think 30 emergency personnel is ridiculous. Glad we have our emergency responders,very glad that the gentleman is ok, but that is overkill. And who pays for it?