Man dies in boom lift while cutting tree in Plaistow

Jonathan Phelps, The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester
Updated ·1 min read

Apr. 28—A man in a rented boom lift died while cutting down a tree in Plaistow Saturday morning, fire officials said.

Dispatchers received a 911 call about the man who appeared to be injured and non-responsive just after 11:30 a.m.

The man was about 30 feet in the air and found "slumped over in the boom basket, bleeding, and nonresponsive," Fire Chief Chris Knutsen said in a news release. The boom arm appeared to be damaged from a "possible tree strike."

A technical rescue team was unable to override the controls of the machine. An employee from the rental company arrived to assist in lowering the bucket.

Plaistow and Boston MedFlight Critical Care paramedics determined that resuscitation efforts would not be viable.

A medical examiner arrived for further investigation.

"Our thoughts are with the patient's family during this difficult time," the chief wrote.