One rescued, one injured in Middletown tree-trimming incident

Middletown Division of Fire Lt. John Scranton rescues Nick Morath from a tree after a tree trimming accident at the corner of Reinartz Blvd. and McKinley Street Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Middletown. Another male fell off a ladder when a large branch fell and landed on the ground. He was transported to Atrium. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Middletown Division of Fire Lt. John Scranton rescues Nick Morath from a tree after a tree trimming accident at the corner of Reinartz Blvd. and McKinley Street Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Middletown. Another male fell off a ladder when a large branch fell and landed on the ground. He was transported to Atrium. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

One man suffered injuries that sent him to a hospital, and a second man had to be rescued by firefighters from a tree after a tree-trimming accident in Middletown on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident happened at the corner of Reinartz Boulevard and McKinley Street.

Middletown Fire Chief Tom Snively said first responders were dispatched after a report that a man fell out of a tree from 35 feet. Snively said the man instead fell from a ladder, perhaps 10 to 12 feet, after part of the tree fell and hit him.

An ambulance took the man to Atrium for treatment of his injuries, which Snively said probably included broken bones, but he believed the man will survive.

A second person was stuck in the tree after the accident.

Middletown Division of Fire Lt. John Scranton used a tower ladder and rescued Nick Morath from a tree after the tree-trimming accident.

Snively offered advice for trimming trees.

“I say leave it to the professionals, people who are certified, insured and bonded,” Snively said. “(It’s) very dangerous, especially a tree like this that’s dead, very unpredictable.”