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Last updated on Monday, October 30, 2017
(JAY CO.) - Indiana Conservation Officers responded at 4:21 p.m., Saturday to the 4300 block of South 850 East in Portland, when 44-year-old Shawn Thobe, of Ft Recovery, OH, fell from a tree stand.
He was transported by Jay County EMS to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital for treatment of internal injuries as well as injuries to his back and ribs.
Thobe was climbing up the ladder on his two man ladder stand when his right hand slipped off of the ladder, causing him to fall backwards approximately 12 feet. An investigation revealed that he was attempting to carry his seat pad up the ladder in his left hand while climbing.
Thobe was wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident but he was not attached to the tree as he climbed.
Other agencies involved include Jay County EMS, Salamonia Fire Department, and the Jay County Sheriff's Department.
Indiana Conservation Officers want to remind the public to always have empty hands while climbing a tree stand so that you can maintain three points of contact at all times, and to always keep your safety harness attached to the tree via a lifeline system while ascending and descending.
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