Redwood Co Sheriff: Man pinned under tree for over 4 days rescued

This Aug. 31, 2020 photo provided by Redwood County Minnesota Sheriff’s Office shows an oak tree that fell and pinned Jonathan Ceplecha for four days as he was cutting it. The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office says Ceplecha was cutting down oak trees Aug. 27, 2020 near Redwood Falls when a one of them fell and landed on his legs. Deputies responding to a call Monday afternoon for a welfare check after he didn’t show up for work found Ceplecha in a ravine with his legs pinned. (Redwood County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

(SMN/AP) – A man has been rescued after being pinned under a tree for more than four days in Redwood County.

The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office says 59-year-old Jonathan Ceplecha was cutting down trees when an oak fell on him, pinning his legs underneath.

The sheriff’s office responded to a welfare check Monday after Ceplecha didn’t show up for work. They found Ceplecha in a ravine, where he had been for more than 100 hours – since Thursday – with his legs pinned. His son, Miles Ceplecha says his father survived the ordeal by not panicking and trying to keep his mind distracted.

It took nearly two hours for the Redwood Falls Fire Department to extricate Ceplecha, who was then airlifted from the scene.

Details about his injuries were not released.

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