- Joined
- Oct 5, 2017
- Messages
- 73
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- 20
- Age
- 48
Back in 2020, my boy and I had built some decent rockets we were playing with but picked up a cheaper one and launched it from our yard, it came down got stuck in my neighbors tree. We weren't too concerned as it was a cheaper one but the next day, just playing around we rigged up a larger treble hook and a string to the bottom of a Mavic Pro M1P decided to give it a go see if I could snag the parachute string, pull it from the tree. I knew there was a good chance I might get the Mavic stuck up there as well but I had insurance on it. Had the parachute string snagged within about 30 seconds. Attempted to pull it out, the Mavic gave a good effort and I thought I would get it. But one of the parachute strings blew up and got tangled in a prop. So I had to kill the motors and it swung down hanging with both stuck in the tree as I figured might happen.
I backed my truck up under it, put a 10ft stepladder in the bed. But after looking up at the route, I thought nope! Not doing this as it was real close to power lines. I put the ladder in the bed and pulled the truck back to my driveway, called a guy that does tree trimming that I know. Said he would be there Monday. I get off the phone and my neighbor walks up said he could get a friend of ours with a backhoe and raise me up in the bucket. I said no it won't get me any higher than with the ladder and those power lines are too close. My boy and I started riding our quads and was working on trimming up some trails. An hour later here comes the guy with the backhoe. We go up to talk with him, he had his bucket raised up under it to check the height. Told him I was concerned about the power lines and was leary. After some discussion I felt compelled because I had these guys trying to help, I thought I need to get off my butt and accept their help. (Bad judgement call)
I went and grabbed a commercial electricians blanket I have and threw that in the bucket. I had two HD pool poles taped together with a net at the end. He raised me up in the bucket, I could barely get to it but it was tough. Could get the Mavic in the net kind of, but couldn't free it. Was about ready to throw in the towel and my neighbor said the wind picked up or whatever the reason but seen the pole get close to the lines. I knew I was getting shocked, and could hear the electricity. Very violent. Knew I had got against the line. Seemed like it last for 3 to 4 seconds. Had my eyes closed and was thinking let go, but I couldn't. Felt froze at that moment.
Next thing I know I took a deep breath and woke up on the ground. My neighbor was shaking my shoulder. Said I did a complete flip on the way down and landed like a pancake, flat on my back. He said he felt the ground shake when I landed next to him. Not anticipating me waking up he said he was surprised after about 45 seconds I opened my eyes.
The current went through both of my hands and exited out of my right quadricep. I had unintentionally braced my right leg against the top of the backhoe bucket. It gave me a ground. I had a pocket knife in my right pocket, it melted the fabric to that pocket knife and blew a hole in my leg.
Long story even longer, I was in ICU for 28 days and ended up losing my right thumb. Went without a thumb for about 6 months and finally was able to have a toe to thumb transfer. Ive had 16 surgeries in total. Was off for about a year, ran through most of my 401k savings. But you overcome and adapt, the physical stuff is small potatoes considering. Just glad to be here and thankful that God was with me that day.
So be careful on those judgment calls whatever your doing, and remember life is very fragile, dont sweat the small things in life and enjoy!
I backed my truck up under it, put a 10ft stepladder in the bed. But after looking up at the route, I thought nope! Not doing this as it was real close to power lines. I put the ladder in the bed and pulled the truck back to my driveway, called a guy that does tree trimming that I know. Said he would be there Monday. I get off the phone and my neighbor walks up said he could get a friend of ours with a backhoe and raise me up in the bucket. I said no it won't get me any higher than with the ladder and those power lines are too close. My boy and I started riding our quads and was working on trimming up some trails. An hour later here comes the guy with the backhoe. We go up to talk with him, he had his bucket raised up under it to check the height. Told him I was concerned about the power lines and was leary. After some discussion I felt compelled because I had these guys trying to help, I thought I need to get off my butt and accept their help. (Bad judgement call)
I went and grabbed a commercial electricians blanket I have and threw that in the bucket. I had two HD pool poles taped together with a net at the end. He raised me up in the bucket, I could barely get to it but it was tough. Could get the Mavic in the net kind of, but couldn't free it. Was about ready to throw in the towel and my neighbor said the wind picked up or whatever the reason but seen the pole get close to the lines. I knew I was getting shocked, and could hear the electricity. Very violent. Knew I had got against the line. Seemed like it last for 3 to 4 seconds. Had my eyes closed and was thinking let go, but I couldn't. Felt froze at that moment.
Next thing I know I took a deep breath and woke up on the ground. My neighbor was shaking my shoulder. Said I did a complete flip on the way down and landed like a pancake, flat on my back. He said he felt the ground shake when I landed next to him. Not anticipating me waking up he said he was surprised after about 45 seconds I opened my eyes.
The current went through both of my hands and exited out of my right quadricep. I had unintentionally braced my right leg against the top of the backhoe bucket. It gave me a ground. I had a pocket knife in my right pocket, it melted the fabric to that pocket knife and blew a hole in my leg.
Long story even longer, I was in ICU for 28 days and ended up losing my right thumb. Went without a thumb for about 6 months and finally was able to have a toe to thumb transfer. Ive had 16 surgeries in total. Was off for about a year, ran through most of my 401k savings. But you overcome and adapt, the physical stuff is small potatoes considering. Just glad to be here and thankful that God was with me that day.
So be careful on those judgment calls whatever your doing, and remember life is very fragile, dont sweat the small things in life and enjoy!
