Tree pruner rescued after becoming stuck upside down 30 feet from ground in Bloomfield

PITTSBURGH — A tree trimmer was safely rescued from 30 feet in the air after an accident while pruning trees in the city’s Bloomfield neighborhood.

The spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety, Cara Cruz, says rescue crews were called out around 1:30 p.m. for a report of a tree pruner hanging upside down in a tree.

Pittsburgh Public Safety sent rescue trucks from EMS, police and the fire department. Using a ladder truck, they meticulously rescued the man who was safely brought to the ground and tended to by first responders around 2 p.m.  

“Thankfully, he was harnessed in,” Cruz said. “He had a waist harness, but he was inverted a little bit more than a half an hour. He didn’t have a full body harness, but he did take the necessary steps as he was pruning the tree.” 

Cruz says that harness likely saved his life. Otherwise, he would have fallen more than 30 feet. Below is rock and concrete.  

The tree trimmer was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated. He was alert and talking when he was put on a gurney and taken away in an ambulance.  

“Once you’re inverted that long, a little over a half hour, there can be some blood flow issues according to the medics here on scene,” Cruz added. “He’s been transported to make sure he’s evaluated.” 

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