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  1. milleo Feeling the Heat

    joined: Aug 8, 2011
    297 posts
    Maine
    Prayers from Maine, sorry to hear that.
    #26

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    Scotty Overkill likes this.
  2. Jerry_NJ Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 19, 2008
    950 posts
    New Jersey USA
    Sad news, makes me stop and think about the risks i have taken, may times without knowing - and I got away with it. This is a warning to all, don't exceed your limits...not say this is the case here, but I know I have done so.
  3. swagler85 Minister of Fire

    joined: Mar 4, 2012
    1,039 posts
    NE Ohio
    Worst part is he is the most careful person I could ever work with. Checks and rechecks everything before doing and looking at every angle. Very hard day today.
  4. tfdchief Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 24, 2009
    2,975 posts
    Tuscola, IL
    Really sorry Swag. I know what you mean. I have always felt like I was one of the most careful people in the world, and have tried to look out for a bunch of firefighters for 34 years. Then about a year and half ago, I had an accident that could have killed me. Thought I was being careful, but I let my guard down for just a minute and it got me. Hope he will be OK.
  5. jdp1152 Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 4, 2012
    633 posts
    Massachusetts
    Best wishes to your friend swaggler
  6. Scotty Overkill firewood hoarder

    joined: Sep 24, 2011
    7,165 posts
    central PA
    Swags, he and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. It's terrible to hear of this tradgedy, and it always seems to happen to the most careful and responsible people, which really is proof that it can happen to anybody.
    So sorry to hear this happened, keep us posted on your friend. Stay positive and God Bless.
    Locust Post, chvymn99 and tfdchief like this.
  7. Backwoods Savage Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 14, 2007
    24,500 posts
    Michigan
    Sean, please keep us posted on this and we'll keep sending prayers.
    Locust Post likes this.
  8. BobUrban Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2010
    968 posts
    Central Michigan
    Moment of silence and prayers for your friend. I am truly sorry to hear this and hope he is well soon.
    Scotty Overkill and Locust Post like this.
  9. swagler85 Minister of Fire

    joined: Mar 4, 2012
    1,039 posts
    NE Ohio
    Well the update is he is doing good considering how bad he was hit. The piece that hit him was a 16"-18" piece that came down from about 30'-40', was about 30 foot of the tree that came down. The piece let go before he was able to get out of the way and it hit and pinned him to the ground. We had to cut the log above to free him. Injuries were multiple fractures to his skull, neck, 10 fractures in his back, ankle, shoulder and most of the his ribs. Two punctured lungs and head trauma. The brain was the biggest concern, today we were told from the neuro surgeon that his brain activity was good and not much damage from what he could see. The swelling also went down from yesterday. Overall his condition is good considering what could have happened. To be honest I thought he was dead when I ran over to him. He will have a long road to recovery but his outlook is good at this point. I believe very much that prayer brought him through this and many more will be needed.

    Also on another note his saw was badly damaged in the fall. I will be asking his kids if I can take the saw and rebuild it for him. It's an 026 Stihl. So I will be looking for parts for that, just from what I picked up I know it will be needing all new plastics and top handle. Will be looking here for some advise if I dig into the repair.
  10. firefighterjake Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2008
    13,526 posts
    Unity/Bangor, Maine
    Glad to hear that this story has a relatively good ending . . .

    And also . . . by your actions Swaggler I can tell you are truly a good man. Keep up the good faith.
    Redlegs and Scotty Overkill like this.
  11. bogydave Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 4, 2009
    7,989 posts
    So Cent ALASKA
    Swags:
    Thanks for the "good outlook" update :)
    Scotty Overkill and tfdchief like this.
  12. HDRock Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 25, 2012
    1,256 posts
    Grand Blanc, Mi
    Wow ,I am sorry to here this, I hope all other updates are positive
  13. Scotty Overkill firewood hoarder

    joined: Sep 24, 2011
    7,165 posts
    central PA
    Continued prayers for him. Sounds like some encouraging news considering the unbelieveable injuries he endured. Anything we can do to help Swags, you let us know.
  14. DexterDay Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 11, 2010
    9,160 posts
    NE Ohio
    I recently rebuilt my 260. I have a stock Cylinder and Piston (needs rings) and a stock carb. Unless its purely cosmetic damage?

    Power of prayer is amazing. I hope he recovers quickly and has no ailments. Keep us updated and is there a "Benefit" planned for him? (I know its early?)
    Scotty Overkill likes this.
  15. swagler85 Minister of Fire

    joined: Mar 4, 2012
    1,039 posts
    NE Ohio
    Thanks Dex, benefit has been talked about and will likely happen. He is a contractor so will likely be off work for many months. I will let you know if there is one. I am pretty confident our local stihl dealer would give a saw for a benefit auction. He is a regular in there and actually just picked up a 460 to get at the base of that tree that we worked on.
  16. swagler85 Minister of Fire

    joined: Mar 4, 2012
    1,039 posts
    NE Ohio
    I can't imagine what he is going through right now. I just can't get the image of that tree coming down out of my head. I talked to the crane operator today and he said the same thing. He couldn't sleep either, just kept having that picture pop back in his head.
    tfdchief likes this.
  17. Blue2ndaries Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 17, 2011
    620 posts
    Oregon
    Man, just checked in and read this Swag...prayers sent from Oregon for a speedy and FULL recovery.
    Scotty Overkill likes this.
  18. Locust Post Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 12, 2012
    875 posts
    Northeast Ohio
    Have lifted him up in prayers several times and will continue to do so. It is good to hear some relatively good news on his prognosis.
    Scotty Overkill likes this.
  19. swagler85 Minister of Fire

    joined: Mar 4, 2012
    1,039 posts
    NE Ohio
    This is the butt end of what hit him, the cutoff in the middle is what we cut off him.
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1360543847.074185.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1360543878.006355.jpg
  20. jdp1152 Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 4, 2012
    633 posts
    Massachusetts
    Best wishes to your friend for continued improvement.




    Reading this makes me only want to cut up trees on the ground.
  21. tfdchief Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 24, 2009
    2,975 posts
    Tuscola, IL
    Swags, I am so glad to hear he is still alive. This is bringing back bad memories for me. My heart breaks for him. I remember to well the pain and agony of severe injuries, and he has more than I had. It will be a long, tough, painful recovery and I wish him the best. Life can sure change in a heartbeat. Prayers will continue. Keep reminding us because he will need them for some time.
  22. weatherguy Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 20, 2009
    2,717 posts
    Central Mass
    Best wishes to your friend Swag, sounds like he got lucky, Ive known of two similar accidents and the outcome wasnt as fortunate.
  23. Gasifier Minister of Fire

    Sorry to hear that Swag. Keep in mind that you were helping him out on a job and that you helped him in his time of need when he was injured. You are a good man and friend. He will be in our thoughts.
    Shane N and Scotty Overkill like this.
  24. Jags Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2006
    11,515 posts
    Northern Illinois
    Swags - all the best to your friend and his family. Good news can happen in little bits and pieces. Each one is a step forward. He will have a tough road in front of him, but the human body is pretty amazing. Keep an eye out for him, but also keep an eye out for those that are taking care of him. (and from what I take away from your posts, you do truly care).

    I was the caretaker for my GF when she was in a horrible accident (4 broken vert. scapula, multiple ribs, sternum) and was in a halo for 4 months. All but immobile. It takes a toll on those around the injured person too.
    Shane N, Scotty Overkill and tfdchief like this.
  25. lukem Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 12, 2010
    3,258 posts
    Indiana
    As sad as this news is to hear I'm glad you posted it. Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Let this be a reminder to all of us to keep safety top of mind on every outing. Being careful is not the same as being safe (not saying he wasn't both).

    I hope your friend has a solid recovery.
    Locust Post and Scotty Overkill like this.

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