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Boy Freed From Oak Thinks He'll Go Out On A Limb Again

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By JOSH THOMAS and MIKE WELLS

News Channel 8 The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 4, 2008

BRANDON - Matt Coura said his misadventure in tree climbing certainly taught him its dangers, but he isn't afraid to climb one again.

"I think I am - someday," the smiling 15-year-old said.

Coura recuperated Tuesday at home and recounted the ordeal for reporters.

On Monday evening, Coura and his younger brother were climbing an oak tree at Paul Sanders Park when he slipped and became wedged in a crevice where two large branches had fused, he said.

"I was laughing," Coura said. "I thought it was funny at first: I was stuck in a tree."

After a few minutes of struggling, Coura realized he was trapped and in real danger, he said.

Family members called 911, and crews from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue worked to ensure Coura did not slip farther through the hole. They supported his feet so he could stand.

If Coura had slipped farther, his breathing and blood flow could have been constricted, Fire Rescue Capt. Clint Roberts said. The boy was given oxygen and intravenous fluids.

"I was panicking," Coura said. "I felt sick. I wanted to throw up. I did throw up a couple of times, actually."

The teen said he hyperventilated at times and became drowsy and fell asleep for about 20 minutes.

After 31/2 hours of chipping and chiseling by rescuers and having his body coated in a greasy lubricant, Coura was freed by being pulled back up through the hole.

The rescue was done carefully to prevent the large branches from falling or giving his torso a dangerous pinch, he said.

As he was pulled free, Coura saw the cheering crowd that had gathered to watch.

"I noticed all the people that were there and I was like, 'Oh, my God,'" he said.

Coura missed a day of school but said he's doing fine except for some pain in his lower back and stomach area.

He said he's grateful to firefighters and paramedics for rescuing him and for keeping him calm throughout the ordeal.

"I absolutely love them," he said. "They were great."

Meanwhile, the oak tree is fine, but the county parks department has boarded up the hole to prevent a repeat occurrence, officials said.

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