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Framingham man reunited with first responders who saved him when massive tree crushed his car

By
Penny Kmitt
Penny Kmitt
Penny Kmitt
Penny Kmitt is a reporter for WBZ-TV's morning news. She joined the station in December 2023 from CBS-affiliate WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia.
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Penny Kmitt

/ CBS Boston

A Massachusetts man was reunited with the first responders who saved his life last month when a massive tree slammed onto his car, trapping him inside and leaving him seriously injured.

With his arm in a sling, neck in a brace, and gratitude in his heart, Eric Freeman helped honor those Framingham first responders on Wednesday along with Massachusetts Sen. President Karen Spilka during a small ceremony at the fire station.

"This could have been a very different outcome but we are here surrounded by Framingham's finest," Spilka said. "It was a random, freak accident that was just very unfortunate. Because of those that came, the public safety, because of their expertise, their fast action, their compassion, and knowing exactly what to do during this very difficult time helped save Eric."

Framingham tree on car

The 67-year-old Freeman was driving through Framingham on an early December night when a pine tree suddenly came crashing down. The tree crushed Freeman's Audi and nearly killed him.

"I was driving along and all of the sudden my head was on the center console of the car, and I was looking out through my moon roof," he said. "It took a while before I could finally say 'Help!' and put some volume into it which was scary."

Freeman said it was the epitome of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but the right people at the right time is what saved his life.

"I just shook his hand. I can't believe he's standing," Brewster paramedic Don Avery said.

Avery was on his way to a different call when he happened to come across the scene.

"I didn't expect to see anybody alive," Avery said. "The center part of the tree, we were able to get that off with some bystanders."

New appreciation for life

Freeman said he doesn't remember much. But he does remember the sirens, and people helping.

"It gives me a lot of appreciation for civilization, community," he said. "It's a lot of people working together. It's delightful."

Though Freeman said his recovery has been slow and frustrating, he added that he feels fortunate to be alive. He has a plate screwed into his skull and a bar that goes down into his spine. 

Today, Freeman and his wife Kathleen say they have a new appreciation for life, and the community around them.

"It's nice to hear the different accounts from the first responders and understanding how this all came together and worked so well," Kathleen said.

Eric is an avid skier and hiker, two activities now on hold as he still faces a long road to recovery.

"Skiing, going back and letting Wildcat know whose boss," he said. "I may not be able to do what I did before. But hopefully I'll still be able to hit the mountains hard."

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