Boy, 4, helps rescue dad pinned under tree branch

Associated Press

Thursday, June 5, 2014 | 11:47 a.m.

BEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A man who was pinned under a large tree branch in Michigan's northwestern Lower Peninsula credits his 4-year-old son's quick efforts for helping to get him free.

Grant Groenwald told WPBN-WTOM that he was cutting wood Friday near his home in Manistee County's Bear Lake Township when a branch rolled on him. His son Quillan said he was able to drag a chain saw over to his dad.

"The whole thing rolled down on top of me," Groenwald said. "It hit me in the shoulder and hit in my elbow and just kind of knocked me off balance."

Groenwald used the chain saw to cut the branch while he was still pinned underneath, the station reported, and Quillan helped him back to a truck.

"I saved my daddy's life," Quillan said. "I got to drag the chain saw to him."

Groenwald has a broken ankle, which is expected to require surgery. When he was trapped, Groenwald said his son didn't think he could help.

"I said 'I need your help. Daddy's pinned,'" Groenwald said. "He said 'I can't, dad. I can't help you.' I said: 'You've got to. You're the only person I've got. You're my only savior.'"