Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a tree stand accident that occurred Wednesday afternoon in Shelby County.

Just before 5:00 pm, officers were dispatched to the area near the 4800 Block of North County Road 575 East for an injured person.  The initial investigation revealed that Timothy Balting, 46, of Shelbyville, fell approximately 15-20 feet while attempting to move his hang on tree stand.

Despite his injuries, Balting was able to use his cellphone to call for medical assistance. He was transported by local EMS to Methodist Hospital with back, arm and pelvis injuries.

Balting was wearing a full body safety harness at the time of the accident, but it was not affixed to the tree.

Conservation officers remind everyone using elevated platforms to always wear a full body harness, use a tree stand’s safety rope, never try to put up or remove a tree stand by themself, and to always inspect their tree stand before climbing up into it.