Man Injured After Tree Falls During Land Clearing in Attalla

ATTALLA — A man was injured Friday afternoon after becoming trapped beneath a falling tree while operating equipment during a land-clearing project next to the Sand Valley Fire Department.

According to a spokesperson for the department, personnel at the station witnessed the tree fall and trap the man, allowing them to begin an immediate response.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene to assist with the rescue, including the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Unit, Reece City Fire Department and Boaz Fire Department. Survival Flight was also dispatched and remained on standby.

Officials said assistance was requested from the Etowah County Highway Department for additional equipment to help remove the tree and free the man. However, first responders were able to successfully extract him before that equipment arrived.

While the full extent of the man’s injuries has not been released, WEIS Radio was told he is expected to be OK. Officials also confirmed he did not require air transport by Survival Flight.

A representative from the Sand Valley Fire Department said the outcome could have been much worse.

“God was truly watching over him,” the spokesperson said.