Sullivan Fire Assists Owensville With Stranded Tree Trimmer

Sullivan Firefighters and the district ladder truck were called to rescue a male tree trimmer from a bucket truck some 30-feet in the air Sunday night, October 17, at 6:38 p.m.

The request for Sullivan Firefighters came from Owensville Fire Department as Sullivan had the closest nearby ladder firetruck to assist.

According to Sullivan Fire Chief Eric Lewis, firefighters arrived and were able to raise the ladder to the bucket and Firefighter Joe Kincaid, who was belted to the ladder, was able to assist the tree trimmer and get him buckled and onto the ladder as well.

The employee was then brought to the ground after more than an hour stranded in the bucket truck.

“From what we understand the bucket to the truck would not lower and the manual override was not operable either as the worker attempted to lower the bucket,” said Lewis. “We had the nearest ladder truck to be able to assist Owensville and we’re happy to provide our assistance. It was relatively smooth with Firefighter Dave Sumpter positioning the ladder and Firefighter Joe Kincaid making the rescue. It really did not take us long to bring him to safety.”