Skydiver spends 3 hours in tree

DUNSTABLE, Mass., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts skydiving business said a man spent nearly 3 hours dangling from a tree when his parachute became caught about 75 to 100 feet up.

Rob Arellanes of Skydive Pepperell said Andrew Stack, 35, mistakenly steered himself toward some trees during a 10 a.m. Monday skydive and wound up caught in a tree in Dunstable, WCVB-TV, Boston, reported Tuesday.

"He did not steer where he was supposed to go, so he ended up steering himself into the trees," Arellanes said.

He said Skydive Pepperell workers located Stack and called for fire and rescue crews.

Andover Fire Chief Michael Mansfield said Stack was "conscious and alert" during the rescue. He was returned to the ground about 12:30 p.m.

David Goldstein of Skydive Pepperell said Stack was not injured but he did experience some discomfort.

"The gear is only meant to be worn for a few minutes while you are in free fall and in the canopy, and then he was there for quite some time. It cuts off circulation, makes him uncomfortable and it's a little bit painful, too," Goldstein said.