A hunter fell 25 feet out of a tree, crawled through the woods for three hours, then called for rescuers to save him Thursday, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Scott Cleveland, 45, of Bakers Mills was climbing into a tree stand at about 1:20 p.m. on private property in the town of Johnsburg in Warren County when he fell, according to a statement from DEC spokesman Dave Winchell.
The fall resulted in significant injuries to both his ankles and right arm, Winchell wrote. After the fall, Cleveland attempted to use his cell phone to call for help but couldn't get service. Determined to save himself, Cleveland crawled and dragged himself for about a mile in a three-hour period to a place where he could use his phone.
From there, he called a family member. The family member called Warren County 911 who contacted DEC Dispatch in Ray Brook at 4:43 pm.
Two DEC forest rangers and personnel from Bakers Mills Fire Department, Garnet Lake Fire Department, Johnsburg Fire Department, Johnsburg Emergency Medical Services and Minerva Emergency Medical Services responded.
Cleveland was stabilized and carried on a litter a quarter mile through wet terrain and three stream crossings to Chatiemac Road at approximately 6:30 pm.
He was transported from there to Johnsburg High School by Johnsburg Emergency Medical Services ambulance and then airlifted to Albany Medical Center.