Hunter Hurt In Fall From Tree Stand
October 6, 2017 at 5:26 p.m.
By Staff Report-
The accident occurred around 7 a.m. Thursday near North Webster.
Jimmy Ritchie, 49, Ligonier, was preparing to hunt from an elevated tree stand before falling nearly 16 feet to the ground.
Emergency personnel from multiple agencies were on scene to assist with transporting Ritchie out of the woods.
Ritchie was airlifted to Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne with leg and back injuries.
Ritchie was not wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident.
Agencies who responded to the accident included North Webster EMS, North Webster Fire, Parkview Samaritan, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Conservation Officers.
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Falls from tree stands are the leading cause of deer hunting accidents in Indiana, accounting for almost half of all accidents. Many occur while a hunter is ascending or descending from the stand. With it being deer season, conservation officers offer several safety tips while hunting from an elevated position, the release states.
Hunters should inspect their tree stands and hunting equipment to ensure they are safe before using. They should only use a tree stand that has the approval of the Treestand Manufacturers Association and make sure to read the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions before installation, the release states.
A hunter should never climb with anything in his hands or on his back. A haul line should be used to lift a gun, a bow or other gear into the stand. Firearms on a haul line should be unloaded with the action open and muzzle pointed downward, according to the release.
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The accident occurred around 7 a.m. Thursday near North Webster.
Jimmy Ritchie, 49, Ligonier, was preparing to hunt from an elevated tree stand before falling nearly 16 feet to the ground.
Emergency personnel from multiple agencies were on scene to assist with transporting Ritchie out of the woods.
Ritchie was airlifted to Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne with leg and back injuries.
Ritchie was not wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident.
Agencies who responded to the accident included North Webster EMS, North Webster Fire, Parkview Samaritan, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Conservation Officers.
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Falls from tree stands are the leading cause of deer hunting accidents in Indiana, accounting for almost half of all accidents. Many occur while a hunter is ascending or descending from the stand. With it being deer season, conservation officers offer several safety tips while hunting from an elevated position, the release states.
Hunters should inspect their tree stands and hunting equipment to ensure they are safe before using. They should only use a tree stand that has the approval of the Treestand Manufacturers Association and make sure to read the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions before installation, the release states.
A hunter should never climb with anything in his hands or on his back. A haul line should be used to lift a gun, a bow or other gear into the stand. Firearms on a haul line should be unloaded with the action open and muzzle pointed downward, according to the release.
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