Helicopter operation

Styrian (64) fell while pruning trees

A rescue helicopter was deployed.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

A 64-year-old man fell several meters while pruning fruit trees in Frohnleiten (Graz-Umgebung district) on Saturday morning. The man had to be flown to hospital by a rescue helicopter.

Shortly after 10 a.m., the 64-year-old from the Graz-Umgebung district was busy pruning fruit trees on his son's property. His son was helping him. When the 64-year-old climbed into a treetop via a ladder leaning against the tree, a branch was probably unable to bear the weight of the man. The branch, which was around five centimetres thick, broke off, causing the 64-year-old to fall around three meters and come to rest on an embankment. His son immediately administered first aid and alerted the emergency services. Emergency services from the Red Cross and an emergency doctor then provided first aid. The 64-year-old was flown to Graz Regional Hospital by the C17 rescue helicopter with serious injuries. There were no indications that the accident was caused by a third party.