ANGOLA – A Fremont man was hospitalized after falling from a tree stand Saturday morning.

58-year-old Todd Austin was preparing a tree stand when a strap on the climbing sticks attached to the tree broke, causing him to fall from about 20 feet.

A friend who was helping Austin called 9-1-1.

He was taken by ambulance to Parkview Regional Medical Center with unspecified injuries.

Conservation Officers remind everyone to always wear a full body safety harness and life line system to prevent falls anytime your feet are off the ground when hunting from an elevated stand. You should also always check the condition of your equipment prior to use.