Gary Wiens, a 59-year-old Montana man, is recovering in Seattle's Harborview hospital after being struck by a falling log while hiking in Washington's Snoqualmie National Forest, the reports.
Wiens was hiking with two other men when a log fell off a cliff 250 feet above them. Wiens tried to take cover but was still hit by the log, which broke into three pieces when it landed. Wiens suffered multiple broken ribs, pelvic fractures, and a collapsed lung.
One of Wiens's companions went for help and found Ben Lehman, a backcountry ranger and medic working for the U.S. Forest Service. Lehman treated Wiens until he could be airlifted by Navy helicopter to Seattle.
It is unclear what caused the log to fall.
For more on how to treat injuries when traveling, hiking, and backpacking, check out the article , from our .
–Michael Webster