Nerang Tree Lopper survives 10m fall

Eric Frei · 27th June 2008, 11:11 PM

Anyone know anything?

Tree lopper in terror fall - Local News - Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Quote:

26Jun08

A NERANG tree lopper who survived a 10m fall on to a concrete driveway yesterday had not owned the business for long.

David Andrew Buckler was trimming palms at a home on leafy Yarraowee Drive, Nerang, when it is believed his shoe spike failed to grip properly while climbing his way around a treetop.

Within seconds the father of two plunged down the thick trunk and landed on concrete below, suffering multiple fractures and leaving a spike imprint and blood on the driveway.

It was the third work accident in recent days on the Gold Coast involving a fall.

On Saturday two construction workers were killed when they fell 26 floors from a Broadbeach apartment complex and on Tuesday a window cleaner survived falling seven stories from a Surfers Paradise high rise.

Police said one of two spotters working with Mr Buckler, watched the frightening fall and was so shocked he was unable to properly recount the event.

Scientific officers, accident and investigation police and Queensland Workplace Health and Safety officers were trying to piece the puzzle together yesterday afternoon as Mr Buckler lay in hospital, unable to talk.

He was last night in a stable condition.

The team inspected Mr Buckler's harness, ropes and chains, which lay strewn on the driveway, and taped off an area around his truck.

Tree loppers use spiked shoes and a harness around the waist and the tree to inch their way to the top. Police said in this case the equipment did not appear to be at fault.

The owner of the home, Peter McAulay, said his wife was home and phoned him in distress when the accident occurred about 11am.

The pair had hired Mr Buckler's Quote and Cut Tree and Palm Services to trim the dozens of palms on their large suburban property. Mr Buckler was a quarter of the way through the job when he fell.

Although hurt and suffering suspected head injuries, Mr McAulay said the tree trimmer was coherent and able to move his fingers.

"My wife was in shock," he said.

"The workers were very distraught and very upset. As far as we can see he worked very safely.

"It seems to have been a bad week for this sort of thing."

Lumberjack friends of Mr Buckler arrived at the accident scene during the afternoon after hearing about the fall and were able to explain to police and workplace investigators how to use the safety equipment.

They described their friend as a hardworking bloke in his thirties who had two young girls.

He had just started out in the business but had been in the industry for a long time.

A Workplace Health and Safety spokeswoman said the accident was under investigation.

Mr Buckler remained in a stable condition yesterday but was unable to yet talk to investigators.

He was the boss man and he's getting the whole OHS deal.

Tell me this, when in my videos do you not see me without either a cinched 2nd flip line or cinched lifeline.

He skidded out with his spikes and only had one point of attachment I would say, cleaning a large trunked palm, maybe washintonea or pheonix, either way two points of attachment, lifeline over the head of the palm an option for both if trunk to fat to cinch.

They inspected ropes, harness and chains? Chains, WTF, was that for his dog or something?

Lumberjack friends, boy it just gets better, tree loppers and lumberjacks!

Accidents suck, hope you heal fast, you're damned lucky to be alive.

Jeff Darby · 27th June 2008, 11:34 PM

[/QUOTE]Lumberjack friends, boy it just gets better, tree loppers and lumberjacks!

[/QUOTE]

There's a lot of shames here!

Shame he was tied in once while cutting!
Shame he gaffed out!
Shame he got hurt!
Shame treeloppers and Lumberjacks in suburbia!
Shame the authorities didn't have a clue about his his climbing gear!
Shame, etc...etc...

One more piont of attachment and it would not have been news.

I wish him a speedy recovery, Mate get some professional training.

Drouin Tree Service · 28th June 2008, 01:05 AM

The homeowner should have checked out who they were hiring.

27th June 2008, 11:34 PM	#2
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,025	Re: Nerang Tree Lopper survives 10m fall [/QUOTE]Lumberjack friends, boy it just gets better, tree loppers and lumberjacks! [/QUOTE] There's a lot of shames here! Shame he was tied in once while cutting! Shame he gaffed out! Shame he got hurt! Shame treeloppers and Lumberjacks in suburbia! Shame the authorities didn't have a clue about his his climbing gear! Shame, etc...etc... One more piont of attachment and it would not have been news. I wish him a speedy recovery, Mate get some professional training. __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

28th June 2008, 01:05 AM	#3
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,694	Re: Nerang Tree Lopper survives 10m fall The homeowner should have checked out who they were hiring. __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

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