Alaska man climbs tree, but gets stuck upside down

[June 21, 2012]  FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) -- An Alaska man had to be rescued after he climbed a tree for exercise but got stuck upside down by one leg.

Fairbanks firefighters had to use a ladder truck to reach the 53-year-old man, who was dangling nearly 30 feet off the ground. He was uninjured.

Assistant Fire Chief Ernie Misewicz told The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (http://is.gd/SF28k2) in an email that the man decided to climb the tree because "it was something he wanted to do."

He said the man had spikes and a belt around his stomach, and that he lost his grip and fell backward. The belt slipped below his waist, flipping him over.

Authorities were alerted by a friend, whom the man called from a cellphone attached to a lanyard around his neck.

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Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com/

[Associated Press]

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