(Bloomington) Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a tree stand accident that occurred Sunday afternoon in Monroe County after being dispatched to the area near the 9550 block of Elwren Lane.
Initial investigation revealed that Davey Summitt, 70, of Stinesville, was attempting to ascend a tree with a climbing tree stand when he fell approximately 8 feet to the ground.
Despite being rendered unconscious and injured by the fall, Summitt was eventually able to make it back to his residence and call for medical assistance. He was transported to IU Health Bloomington Hospital with back and rib injuries.
Neither a full body safety harness nor other safety equipment was being used at the time of the accident.
Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by IU Health Ambulance.
Conservation Officers remind everyone using elevated platforms to always wear a full body harness, use a tree stand’s safety rope, never try to put up or remove a tree stand by themself, and to always inspect their tree stand before climbing up into it.