Chemung County Deputy Sheriff Dave Padgett was conducting patrol duties Sunday afternoon in the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in the Town of Southport when a very large tree fell into the roadway. Padgett was unable to stop and the tree falling hit his patrol car. Padgett had to crawl out the driver’s side window to get out of the vehicle. He was not seiously injured but was transported to St. Joseph’s hospital for treatment of minor injuries, according to a post on the Chemung sheriff’s Facebook page.
The roadway was closed for several hours Sunday afternoon while crews cleaned up the debris. Renko’s tree service of Elmira, along with Mattisons tree service of Waverly were on the scene for several hours.
A large section of the tree also struck a resident’s home but no one inside was injured. Chemung County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Webb Mills Volunteer Fire Department for a quick response and assistance at the scene, as well as members of the Sheriff’s office and New York State Police who also responded to assist.
