Washington state man freed after tree pins him in apartment

AP News by AP News

Photo: Puget Sound Fire

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state man is recovering after being pinned under a tree that fell on his apartment building, authorities said.

The Puget Sound Fire Department said the tree measuring 200 feet (61 meters) long crashed into the man’s living room in Renton Sunday, Q13-TV reported.

The man was trapped for about 90 minutes before emergency crews were able to free him, authorities said.

The man, who is in his 60s, was sleeping on a couch when the tree fell around 7:15 a.m.

The man was released from Harborview Medical Center in satisfactory condition, the hospital said.

Efren Garcia of All Seasons Tree Service and Roofing was hired to remove the tree after the rescue.

“(Rescue crews) had to cut walls to get to him. They couldn’t even open his door because he was pinched,” Garcia said.

Martin Tulare of Cascade Crane saw the man after he was released from the apartment.

“He said his bones weren’t broken, but he was badly bruised and you could tell he was in a lot of pain,” Tulare said. “He was hobbling around in his cane and sock feet, and he just wanted to go inside and get some shoes. Can’t say I blame him.”