(La Porte County, IN) - A man taken by medical helicopter last week after a tree he was cutting fell on him at a Scouting America camp in La Porte County is now home.
That’s according to James Hulgan, Scout Executive and Chief Executive Officer for the LaSalle Council of Scouting America based in South Bend.
“He is home now. We are in communication with the family and are providing our full support during his recovery,” he said.
Kenneth Coleman, 63, was flown to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for more advanced care of his undisclosed injuries, according to La Porte County Police. Police said officers about 8 a.m. on March 19 were called to Camp Topenebee off U.S. 421 a few miles south of Michigan City to assist medics with Coleman on his back with a tree on his left leg just above the ankle.
Coleman, a caretaker of the over 160 acre heavily wooded grounds, told investigators he was cutting down a large pine tree with a chainsaw when the tree snapped close to where the blade was near the base. Police said Coleman shoved backwards onto the ground wound up with his leg pinned beneath the tree described as rotten on the inside.
Fortunately, police said he had a cell phone and used it to call 911. Emergency responders dug his leg out from under the tree and placed him into the medical helicopter several minutes after it landed, police said.
Camp Topenebee is owned by the LaSalle Council of Scouting America based in South Bend. The council has youth members from Indiana and Michigan in eight counties such as La Porte and Berrien.
Hulgan said he would not release further details about Coleman’s medical condition out of respect for his privacy.
According to the organization’s website, Coleman is a past recipient of the district’s prestigious President’s Award given to individuals who exemplify the South Oath and Law in their personal and professional lives.
Coleman was directly involved in building three storm shelters at Camp Topenebee with help from U.S. Marine reservists in 2023.
