Leetsdale Man Taken to Hospital After Tree Falls on Him

A Leetsdale man in his 40s was transported to Allegheny General Hospital Saturday night after being struck by a falling tree. 

Leetsdale police said Rick Slaughter of 392 Beaver St. had been working to clear trees from a steep hillside at his home when the accident happened. 

Leetsdale police Patrolman Ian Ging was flagged down around 8:20 p.m. after someone heard screams for help at the Beaver Street home, not far from the borough police department.

Ging, with the help of a Leet Township officer, found Slaughter way up on a steep hillside where he had been pulling down trees using straps.

Slaughter ran as one of the trees was about to fall on him and was struck in the back. 

Leetsdale and Cochran Hose fire departments responded for a high-angle rope rescue. 

Authorities had to use a stokes basket to hoist Slaughter up the hill before taking him down.

Slaughter was breathing and talking after the accident, police said, adding that his injuries didn’t appear to be life threatening.

Sewickley Heights and Edgeworth police assisted with blocking off the road during the rescue.

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