Above: On Facebook, the SFD posted a photo of a Southborough firefighter preparing to attempt the rescue operation.
The Southborough Fire Department posted news about an unusual emergency in town yesterday. A seriously injured worker was trapped in a tree. He was successfully rescued, then flown out by a Life Flight helicopter.
SFD Chief Andrew Puntini wrote:
On June 10, 2026, at 10:20 a.m., Southborough Emergency Communications received a 911 call reporting a worker trapped in a tree while performing tree work on Pinecone Lane. Engine 22 and Ambulance 29 responded and found a worker approximately 100 feet above ground, entrapped in a tree and suffering from injuries.
Recognizing the complexity of the incident, crews requested a Marlborough Fire Department aerial tower, activated the District 14 Technical Rescue Team, and requested Life Flight due to the anticipated prolonged extrication.
A member of the on-duty shift who is a Rescue Technician quickly assessed the situation and, with assistance from the tree crew and the equipment already in place, conducted a successful rescue operation. The victim was safely lowered to the ground and transferred to the awaiting ambulance crew approximately 20 minutes after the initial 911 call.
The patient was then transported to the landing zone at 9/11 Field and transferred to the Life Flight medical helicopter for transport to the UMass Memorial Medical Center trauma center with serious injuries.
I would like to recognize the quick thinking of the on-duty crew in requesting additional resources early in the incident, as well as their professionalism, technical skill, and teamwork in executing a complex rescue and providing exceptional patient care. Their actions contributed directly to a successful extrication and rapid transport of the injured worker.
WCVB News was among the tv stations to cover the news:
Updated (6/12/26 9:48 am): On Facebook, the SFD shared on Facebook a photo of firefighter William Kipp in mid-air as part of the rescue effort. (Below are the full shot and a closer look.)
The MetroWest Daily News shared more details about the accident from an interview with Chief Puntini. It included news that the federal agency in charge of workplace safety rules is opening an investigation:
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident, which occurred about 8:20 a.m. on Pinecone Lane, according to Southborough Fire Chief Andrew Puntini.
OSHA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Labor, investigates workplace injuries. It also sets workplace standards, conducts safety inspections and issues penalties for violations. . .
“From what it appears, while the worker was cutting the top of the tree, the cut-off section moved in an unexpected way, causing injury and not allowing the worker to self-rescue,” the fire chief explained.
