Man amputates own leg to get free of fallen tree

updated 4:55 p.m. ET June 7, 2007

IOWA HILL, Calif. - Alone in the woods with his left leg pinned beneath a fallen tree for 11 hours, a 66-year-old man used pocketknives to cut off his limb below the knee to free himself, a neighbor and authorities said.

Al Hill had been cutting trees last Friday when one fell on him. After freeing himself, he cried out for help, and a neighbor passing through this sparsely populated area heard him.

Eric Bookey then hiked nearly two miles to get a cellular signal and placed an emergency call to the town's all-volunteer fire department about 7:30 p.m., Fire Chief Luana Dowling told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Hill was eventually airlifted by helicopter to a hospital where he underwent amputation surgery, Dowling said. "He's a pretty remarkable person," Dowling said.

A hospital spokeswoman said Hill was in serious condition on Wednesday, and that he was declining interviews.

MORE FROM LIFE

Life Section Front

Of bats and billions: Following stimulus funds As stimulus funds trickle down, debate heats up Report: 10 states face budget disasters Judge says quadriplegic can have guns Wedding ring found amid 10 tons of trash Flood alerts as Ida moves up East Coast Newsweek: Despite funding boost, parks still hurting Salt Lake OKs gay rights laws with Mormon backing Weakening Ida drenches Gulf Coast ‘Slow money’ gains momentum Life Section Front   Add Life headlines to your news reader: