Framingham Pedestrian Hospitalized After Being Hit By Tree Limb, Helped Others Avoid Injury

This story has been updated.

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A man walking Thursday along Eaton Road was struck in the head and seriously injured by a falling tree limb.

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The large oak branch fell unexpectedly around 12:30 p.m. and hit the 39-year-old, who was then briefly trapped beneath it, according to Framingham fire officials.

The man wasn't identified but is an off-duty Waltham firefighter, a statement said. Paramedics brought him to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston for treatment.

A Framingham spokesperson told Patch the man was alert, conscious and in stable condition when he was transported by ambulance.

Witnesses said the man noticed the limb beginning to fall and warned people nearby – including Department of Public Works employees and an Amazon delivery driver – allowing them to move to safety before the limb came down.

Storms with high winds damaged and toppled some trees in the Boston area Tuesday night, though it's not clear if weather affected the tree on Eaton Road, a residential street near the Wayland town line.

Framingham Fire Chief Michael Dutcher called the victim's actions "courageous."

People at the scene provided first aid until emergency personnel arrived.

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