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coldfront
06-08-2007, 09:29 AM
Man amputates own leg to escape tree
United Press International - USA
June 7, 2007

IOWA HILL, Calif., June 7 (UPI) -- An Iowa Hill, Calif., man was listed in serious condition after he amputated his own leg when it became pinned under a fallen tree.
Al Hill was reportedly cutting trees Friday near the Big Dipper Mine when a tree fell on his left leg, the Auburn (Calif.) Journal reported Thursday. He then spent 10 hours fighting for his life after amputating the leg with a pair of pocket knives before his calls for help were heard.

"Someone heard him yelling (and) that person reached him about 6 p.m.," Iowa Hill Fire Chief Luana Dowling said.

"The call came in around 7:30 p.m. that a tree had fallen across his leg," said Dowling. "He partially amputated his own leg just below the knee with a pocket knife, is my understanding. "

Robin Montgomery, a spokeswoman for Sutter Roseville Medical Center, said Hill was in "serious" condition Monday.
nmfire
06-08-2007, 09:34 AM
I think I might hang out a little longer than 10 hours before chopping off my leg.
mvfd27
06-08-2007, 11:07 AM
I think I might hang out a little longer than 10 hours before chopping off my leg.

Definitely think I'd try to hold out a little longer as well, but then again, I wasn't the one trapped under the tree. Probably depend on if there was any chance someone would happen upon my sorry a$$ as well. But all in all, I hope he has strong recovery.

EDIT: After re-reading the original...he waited ten hours for help after amputating his leg before someone found him...doesn't say how long he was under the tree. Either way...takes guts to make that call.
closetkd
06-09-2007, 09:17 PM
Man the guy in Colorado that amputated his arm was able to hike out. But after amputating your leg, then what?
JHR1985
06-09-2007, 09:36 PM
Ahhh.... its already been done by that hiker dude(even though it was an arm) This guy isnt anything special:eek:


on a more serious note..... I would wait a lot longer than 10 hours to chop off my own leg... I got 2 pocket knives and a long wait? Carve a hole in that tree to get out....

Think: What would McGuvyer do?
jacklrd
06-09-2007, 11:08 PM
Think: What would McGuvyer do?

You need a paper clip and tooth pick before thinking crazy like that!
RspctFrmCalgary
06-10-2007, 12:29 AM
Ahhh.... its already been done by that hiker dude(even though it was an arm) This guy isnt anything special:eek:


on a more serious note..... I would wait a lot longer than 10 hours to chop off my own leg... I got 2 pocket knives and a long wait? Carve a hole in that tree to get out....

Think: What would McGuvyer do?

Yeah, I think I'd be chippin' away at that tree before rippin' away at my flesh!!! :eek:
FlyingKiwi
06-10-2007, 01:59 AM
But after amputating your leg, then what?

Walk in circles.
FWDbuff
06-10-2007, 03:35 AM
Ahhh.... its already been done by that hiker dude(even though it was an arm) This guy isnt anything special:eek:


on a more serious note..... I would wait a lot longer than 10 hours to chop off my own leg... I got 2 pocket knives and a long wait? Carve a hole in that tree to get out....

Think: What would McGuvyer do?


Screw McGuyver- what would CHUCK NORRIS have done????
ElectricHoser
06-10-2007, 05:06 AM
Think: What would McGuvyer do?

I add my vote to asking why this guy started cutting on the leg before the tree. If you're so far in you have to take the leg, how are you planning to get out after the amputation? I hope there's more we don't know.

Two pocket knives? I have a better idea. Cell phone or ham radio, or provisions to live off of while you spend a few days chewing through the tree with your cool MacGyver paperclip.
fireman4949
06-10-2007, 11:26 AM
I add my vote to asking why this guy started cutting on the leg before the tree. If you're so far in you have to take the leg, how are you planning to get out after the amputation? I hope there's more we don't know.


I think this is a perfect example of why you should thoroughly think through all aspects of a plan before you actually implement it.:eek:

With my luck, I would have just made the very last hack at my now amputated leg, and as I was losing consciousness from the pain and loss of blood, a logging crew with a full compliment of all the necessary equipment to rescue me would pull up. :eek: :mad:
DocVBFDE14
06-10-2007, 11:46 AM
Screw McGuyver- what would CHUCK NORRIS have done????


It wouldn't have fallen on Chuck Norris. It would hav been to scared :cool:
alpha4
06-10-2007, 03:08 PM
Why start at your leg. Start at the tree. and keep on yelling
Dave1983
06-10-2007, 05:05 PM
Walk in circles.

ROTFLMFAO!!:D
dirtdemond450
06-10-2007, 09:41 PM
I wonder how long he layed there looking at that chainsaw just out of his reach........
len1582
06-11-2007, 12:24 AM
What would he have done if it fell across his groin?? :eek:
fireman4949
06-11-2007, 03:39 AM
What would he have done if it fell across his groin?? :eek:


One knife probably would have been sufficient. :o :D
ElectricHoser
06-11-2007, 04:19 AM
What would he have done if it fell across his groin?? :eek:

No amputation necessary.... voice pitch increased significantly to the point that calls for help can be heard miles away.

Alternatively, can picture that "terrorist captured" pic posted a few days ago, should be able to get free unaided after that.

Did I just say that? :eek:
FlyingKiwi
06-11-2007, 06:43 AM
Thinks... "Ouch, that hurt"

Thinks... "Leg trapped, not good"

Thinks... "I have two pockets knives, hopfully this will work" :p

Later at hospital.

Doctor... "Well done Grasshopper"
MalahatTwo7
06-11-2007, 09:09 AM
I wonder how long he layed there looking at that chainsaw just out of his reach........

Ya, that was the thought that ran through my mind.

Of course MaGyver would have fashioned a rope and grappel from assorted tree bits and some vines. LOL

Chuck Norris would have just chewed his way through - providing of course that as our aforementioned collegue stated, it would not be too scared to fall on him.
RESERVEFORNOW
06-12-2007, 08:53 AM
Chop off my leg, whittle away at a tree, or trench the ground under my leg...I think I'd still be walking.
fireman4949
06-12-2007, 03:10 PM
Chop off my leg, whittle away at a tree, or trench the ground under my leg...I think I'd still be walking.

I had the same trenching in the dirt thought when I first read the story. Unless I was lying on solid rock, I'd have been a diggin' fool! :D
RESERVEFORNOW
06-12-2007, 07:43 PM
Yea, 4949, but lucky for us not too many trees grow out of solid rocks. ;)
fireman4949
06-12-2007, 10:46 PM
Yea, 4949, but lucky for us not too many trees grow out of solid rocks. ;)

My point exactly! ;)

Living here in Florida, I haven't seen a solid rock in years! :p
larry302
06-14-2007, 04:11 PM
Ok VERY rural area the guy who happened to stumble by and heard him yelling had to hike two miles just to get a cell phone signal .

He was not in an area where one sees folks and one could yell for days and not expect anyone to hear. It was pure luck that a neighbor was out in the woods near by.

Now try this test ( I collect knives and have written for knife mags btw) . Take your folder and go cut through a two foot tree. But you must do so while lying on the ground pinned under the tree . Please post photos of how well that went.......

The guys alive while those who count on cell phones whould still be there .