(Photo provided by Indiana Department of Natural Resources)
Indiana Conservation Officers responded to calls for help in the area of 1200 North 400 East around 6:30 tonight in Pierceton.
Richard Dixon, 67, Warsaw, just finished his hunt. As he climbed down from his tree stand, the stand collapsed and he fell. Dixon was able to use his cell phone to call for help. Indiana Conservation Officer Nick Vandermolen located Dixon in the woods and was able to help stabilize him and get him to waiting emergency medical personnel.
Dixon was transported to Lutheran Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. Pierceton Fire, first responders and Multi-Township EMS assisted Indiana Conservation Officers on the scene.
Indiana Conservation Officers are continuing to investigate this incident. Dixon was not wearing a safety harness which may have prevented the fall. In 2012 and 2013 a total of 46 falls from tree stands resulted in serious injuries, two of which were fatal. There have been six falls from tree stands this month alone in Indiana. This makes falls from tree stands the number one cause of injury and death while hunting in our state. Indiana Conservation Officers would like you to please wear your safety harness while hunting from elevated positions.