scottbaker
ArboristSite Lurker
Another accident for us all to ponder. This excerpted from emails sent to a buch of local arborists who are freindly with the injured climber:
"Kurt Fickeisen of Symbiosis Tree Care was injured , June 20th, when he fell off a ladder. His ground man, Alex, was working nearby and noticed that he was on the ground unconscious. Kurt then came to and attempted to stand, but Alex prevented him from doing so. When the EMT’s arrived he was still conscious and was taken to Harborview Hospital. He broke seven ribs and suffered a concussion. He underwent surgery to clear any blood clotting and relieve pressure from any swelling on the brain. They found that the swelling was minimal and there was very little bleeding. The doctors felt that the surgery went well. This morning he underwent another surgery to remove a blood clot on the other side of his brain. Prior to surgery yesterday, Kurt was responsive." (Linda Goldsworthy)
We don't know exactly what happened but its clear that Kurt fell from a ladder, did not have his helmet on, and hit very hard probably not breaking his fall at all.
Ladder work is IMO very dangerous... helmet is a good idea.
I have begun to wear my helmet while bushwacking for my consulting work. A bad fall is always a possibility.
Seattle has a great arborist community. All of Kurts contracts are being finished by his freinds and the checks written to Kurts company. Latest news is that he is far from in the clear and we would appreciate strong healing thoughts for Kurt from the larger community.
Scott
"Kurt Fickeisen of Symbiosis Tree Care was injured , June 20th, when he fell off a ladder. His ground man, Alex, was working nearby and noticed that he was on the ground unconscious. Kurt then came to and attempted to stand, but Alex prevented him from doing so. When the EMT’s arrived he was still conscious and was taken to Harborview Hospital. He broke seven ribs and suffered a concussion. He underwent surgery to clear any blood clotting and relieve pressure from any swelling on the brain. They found that the swelling was minimal and there was very little bleeding. The doctors felt that the surgery went well. This morning he underwent another surgery to remove a blood clot on the other side of his brain. Prior to surgery yesterday, Kurt was responsive." (Linda Goldsworthy)
We don't know exactly what happened but its clear that Kurt fell from a ladder, did not have his helmet on, and hit very hard probably not breaking his fall at all.
Ladder work is IMO very dangerous... helmet is a good idea.
I have begun to wear my helmet while bushwacking for my consulting work. A bad fall is always a possibility.
Seattle has a great arborist community. All of Kurts contracts are being finished by his freinds and the checks written to Kurts company. Latest news is that he is far from in the clear and we would appreciate strong healing thoughts for Kurt from the larger community.
Scott
