VBFD assists parachutists stuck in tree

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Fire crews assisted five paratroopers from Navy Special Warfare Group TWO who ended up stuck in a tree during a training exercise Tuesday at Fort Story in Virginia Beach.

Tim Riley with the Virginia Beach Fire Department told WAVY.com several ladder companies responded to the scene.

A reported fall came in at around 9:30 a.m. Once on scene, emergency crews determined a paratrooper had gotten caught on a tree limb, Chief Bruce Nedelka with Virginia Beach EMS told WAVY.com.

Nedelka said a tree limb eventually broke and one of the paratroopers fell to the ground. He was subsequently taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries. The other paratroopers were not injured.

"We had one individual who was in an unstable position," Captain Greg Benshoff, Virginia Beach Fire Department, told WAVY News 10. "The branches were breaking around him. He was pretty much bear hugging the tree. He became our number one rescue priority then our second priority was to keep the other individuals from trying to climb down because they were in a position where they could fall and get hurt."

A spokesperson for Navy Special Warfare Group TWO said the paratroopers were on a normal, routine training mission.

Chief Robert Fluegel said training is inherently dangerous for members of naval special warfare.

The incident is under investigation.

Chopper 10 was above the scene as it was wrapping up Tuesday afternoon. See video shot by Chopper 10 to the left of this story.

Fort Story is part of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, consolidated a base that includes the Navy's Little Creek Amphibious Base and the Army's Fort Story.

The Virginia Beach Tech Team, fire department and EMS all responded to the incident.