My son-in-law, Charlie White, is recovering from a 50+ ft fall from a tree after his lanyard split in two while he was trying to hook his lifeline. Apparently a sharp nub from a previous cut he had made put a slice in the lanyard and then working the lanyard around the tree eventually led to the lanyard completely fraying in half. Fortunately, he thought quick enough to kick off the tree as he started to fall, avoiding the picket fence directly below him that inevitably would have impaled him. He landed on the back side of the fence in a brush pile in the neighboring yard. The brush pile cushioned his fall, ultimately saving his life, but he was left with some major injuries on the left side of his body. He shattered his left scapula, fractured his left forearm, shattered his left wrist which will require multiple surgeries, broke 3 ribs on his left side (one is broken in 2 places), lacerated his spleen, and has 2 lumbar fractures. The doctors and surgeons told him he is looking at 3-4 months for recovery and he will be unable to work during this time.

Charlie is a very hard worker who will do anything within his power for anybody in need, especially his own family. He has been trimming and felling trees for 30 years and has never experienced any accidents such as this. He takes on trees others refuse to touch and knows no fear of any height. He and my daughter have been married 12 years and have given me a wonderful 11 year old grandson who admires his dad with all his heart. I am asking the community to come together with me to help Charlie through this challenging time of recovery in order to maintain hospital and household bills, and to provide for his family while he is unable to work. I am grateful for any little donation you can find in your heart to provide.

The pictures below show the tree he fell from. The white dot indicates where he was when the lanyard split.