BELGRADE — A local man was seriously injured Monday when he fell from a tree stand while hunting on his family’s property.
William Wadleigh, 58, was taken by ambulance to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston after suffering a broken hip and a broken back, according to Game Warden Steve Allarie of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
A hospital spokeswoman said she could not confirm Wadleigh was a patient, but family members told Allarie that Wadleigh is expected to undergo surgery and be released later this week.
The accident happened about 3:30 p.m. Monday as Wadleigh was hunting alone from a tree stand on his family’s Manchester Road property.
“The seat was very high of the ground,” Allarie said. “He may have (briefly) gone unconscious, but he was able to call for help with a cell phone.”
Family members then called 911. Belgrade fire and rescue crews hand-carried a stretcher several hundred yards out of the woods, Allarie said.
Wardens have not yet determined why Wadleigh fell out of the stand. The investigation is ongoing, Allarie said.
Rifle deer hunting season ended Saturday. Wadleigh was hunting with a black powder muzzle loader. The muzzle loader season, which began Monday, ends Dec. 10.
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