Hunt for free Christmas tree ended with man being winched to safety after falling down cliff

A man was winched to safety after falling an estimated 10 to 12 metres down a steep embankment in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, while trying to cut down a Christmas tree.



It is believed the man in his 50s was trying to cut down a small pine tree he had decided would make a great Christmas tree when he fell down the embankment alongside the Eastern Freeway in Doncaster.

Fire commander Bob Lanigan said the man was lucky to escape with minor injuries after being winched to safety. "There are a lot safer ways to source Christmas trees," he said. "Personally I got mine from a scout group and they delivered it to my door.



"No need to go over a cliff edge to try to get one." The rescue involved members of the high angle rescue team setting up a complex rigging system. The man was winched up from the bottom of the embankment on a stretcher and suffered cuts and bruises.

There's a news video here.