Watch the video of the incident below.
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As far as humans have been around, people have always been cutting trees. Perhaps the practice started by picking up fallen branches and using them as crude weapons. Or perhaps they were fashioned into rudimentary shelters or used as firewood when our ancestors discovered fire.
Whatever the case, humans have found wood to be very useful material. Once metal tools were invented, the practice of actually felling trees gained full steam and so was born the woodcutters and loggers. Chopping down something that weighs a few tons in such a way that it doesn’t fall on you and kills you or your mates requires a certain amount of finesse.
During the early days, the mortality rate among loggers must have been relatively high as the proper techniques of where to cut and in what order were still being discovered. You’d think that with the advent of modern tools and logging techniques that it would be a much safer activity today.
In a sense, yes, logging is indeed safer compared to what it was in the last century. However, it’s still an inherently dangerous activity.
In an examination of 780 logging deaths that occurred between 1992-2000, a 2003 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study discovered that only 15.6% of deaths were caused by machinery. The remaining 84.4% were the result of falling trees or rolling logs.
The following video clearly illustrates the dangers that face these woodcutters and the people around them. Luckily, in this case, the woman was lucky enough to survive.
The incident happened in Yichun City in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. As can be seen in the video, the contractor had to stop cutting the tree because his chainsaw got stuck. The woman below him on the ladder was about to hand over something when suddenly, all he** breaks loose as chainsaw, branch, and another tree start crashing down on her.
It’s practically a miracle that the woman survived that. Ironically enough, the contractor himself wasn’t even in any danger.
The one who took the video said: “There had already been a few near misses, so I didn’t have a lot of confidence that the contractor knew what he was doing. He looked like he was in over his head.
“Just before the video starts, his chainsaw gets stuck, and he calls out to his colleague on the ground to come help. As she’s carrying something up to him, the half-sawn branch gives way. The ensuing chaos of falling chainsaws and rickety ladders is right out of Final Destination. There’s almost too much mortal danger to catch it all.
“The woman is hit by the falling chainsaw. The falling branch just misses her and the overhead power lines. The branch swings into a second ladder, and the two strike the man with enough force to send his safety helmet flying. Finally, the woman falls almost 10’ with some kind of tool in her mouth.
“Incredibly, there were no injuries.”
Whenever you’re dealing directly with Mother Nature, nothing should be taken for granted. And for the woman, what else can be said? If it’s not your time, it’s not your time.