A falling tree injured a man in Framingham on Thursday evening. The incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. at 239 Elm St., where a pine tree crushed a 67-year-old man’s Audi. The victim, Eric Freeman, was trapped and freed by emergency responders, CBS News Boston reports.
Michael, a resident, said, “I ran outside and I see a tree on top of a car and I can hear the guy moaning,” and helped move branches until help arrived. Firefighters extricated Eric Freeman and transported him to Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he underwent surgery for multiple fractures, including his clavicle, ribs, and a severely damaged C3 vertebra, WCVB reports.
“The vehicle was crushed. The roof was crushed, and the patient was in a very confined space,” Framingham Fire Chief Michael Dutcher said. WCVB reports that Framingham Firefighters IAFF Local 1652 shared photos showing the tree across the road and the emergency response.
Kathleen Freeman, Eric’s wife of over 30 years, told CBS News Boston, “It's a little overwhelming. I think it's a miracle he survived.” She expressed gratitude to the Framingham Police, firefighters, and the neighbor who first helped her husband and noted the long road to recovery ahead.
