King County, Washington – One Person Injured After Being Crushed by Fallen Tree

King County, Washington (February 23, 2020) – One man was injured after he was crushed under a tree that had fallen on an apartment building at the 22200 block of 296th Avenue Southeast on Sunday morning. According to the article from KOMO News, the patient was trapped under the tree for an hour and forty minutes while crews worked to get him free. He sustained a crushed pelvis in the incident and was taken to a critical but stable condition to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. No other injuries were reported in the Ravensdale apartment.

The crush accident occurred just after 7 a.m. as the area was affected by winds that reached up to 50 mph. The windstorm also caused downed trees and power lines in various areas, including Bellevue, Lakewood and Sammamish.

About Crush Injuries

Accidents that involve objects falling on the victim result in what is called “crush” injuries. According to the Arrive Alive website, crush injuries can occur in any car accident, falls or a situation where a structure is collapsing. Even minor crush injuries can involve a lot of pain and discomfort – such injuries include bruising, lacerations, and sprained ankles. Major crush injuries involve parts of the body below the skin, and usually involve blunt force. Major crush injuries include head fractures, facial trauma, severe lacerations and blunt force chest-and-abdominal trauma, among others. Additionally, because of the events which lead up to crush injuries, victims will often require extrication or some kind of rescue to get them out of the dangerous situation.

While it is true accidents can happen, we urge everyone to do their part to ensure safety in their surroundings. Avoid  areas with hazards such as rockfalls and construction sites if possible, and be cautious if it is necessary. For their part, construction crews should adhere to safety guidelines and make sure that any equipment they use will not become a hazard for anyone else. Make sure that your own home is able to withstand any kind of rough weather, particularly if it’s a mobile home. Ensuring our safety can also ensure the safety of others.

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