Olds RCMP said an Olds College arboriculture student who fell nearly 17 metres from a tree on campus on March 27 was in stable condition at a Calgary hospital as of the morning of March 28.
Olds RCMP said an Olds College arboriculture student who fell nearly 17 metres from a tree on campus on March 27 was in stable condition at a Calgary hospital as of the morning of March 28.
Staff Sgt. Joe Sangster, commander of the Olds detachment, said the student, who is in his early 20s and from Manitoba, clipped into the wrong loop or harness while carrying out training activities near the top of a tree located beside the campus water tower.
He added the man's injuries included broken bones and a concussion but he is expected to recover.
Dean Turnquist, a college spokesman, identified the student as Blaine Jack and said Jack's parents were with him at the Foothills Medical Centre.
The student fell shortly after 2 p.m. and a ground ambulance transported him to the Olds Hospital and Care Centre.
He was briefly taken inside the hospital before a STARS air ambulance helicopter airlifted the student to Calgary at about 4:23 p.m., landing at the Foothills Medical Centre at 4:46 p.m.
Cam Heke, a spokesman for STARS air ambulance, said the student's injuries were "potentially life threatening" following the fall and he was in "serious condition" while en route to the Calgary hospital by air.
Staff and students from the college's arboriculture program were carrying out activities on trees near the water tower on the northwest corner of the campus when the fall happened and it was originally reported that the student had fallen nine metres.
Police were on scene shortly after the fall and the Olds Fire Department brought in a ladder truck to allow investigators to take photographs of the spot on the tree from which the student fell.
Ropes and other gear were still visible on the tree two hours after the fall.
Jordan Cleland, the college's vice-president of advancement, said the well-being of the student who fell was of the utmost importance to the college immediately following the fall and the school had contacted the student's family.
He added the college is also concerned about the well-being of anyone who was with or near the student at the time of the fall and counselling will be made available.
In subsequent days, Cleland said, the college will look at safety and protocols surrounding arboriculture activities on campus but added the program instructor is an "absolute zealot" when it comes to safety and the school has no previous record of a student falling.
Sangster said a joint investigation into the fall including police and personnel from Occupational Health and Safety is underway.
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