Live Oak man impaled by tree during height of Helene
–Remained alive while waiting 2 hrs. before help could arrive

During Hurricane Helene’s 118+ mph wind gusts, just before the eye passed over Suwannee County, Charles Roddenberry, of Live Oak, was impaled by a tree crashing into his living room during the height of the storm, Thursday evening. The wind speeds were so intense, first responders had to wait two hours before they could venture out and reach him. He miraculously survived.
-Photo taken same night, Jordan Medley

By Tami Stevenson

Thursday night, September 26, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and midnight, as Hurricane Helene was at its peak in Live Oak, wielding 118+ mph wind gusts, the Roddenberry’s were in their home waiting out the massive storm in downtown Live Oak.

 All of a sudden they heard what they described as the sound of a freight train coming, then a huge crash.

“I was sitting on the other side of the living room and was facing it all as it happened,” seventeen-year-old Seamus (pronounced ‘Shamus’) Roddenberry recalled. His father, Charles ‘Chuck’ Roddenberry, was lying on the couch, which was at the corner of the house, when a huge tree came crashing in through the ceiling and landed on the couch.

“The tree pushed him down inside the couch, actually under the couch,” Seamus Roddenberry said. “There was a branch right next to his head that was supporting the weight of the tree. Another branch impaled him on the right side of his upper chest. Then the roof fell on top of him.” He said, “I broke off the branch, I don’t know how, but I dug him out.”
When his mother, Jordan Medley, called EMS, they told them there was nothing they could do until the wind speeds dropped. It was two long, excruciating hours before first responders were able to reach him.

When asked about the amount of blood he lost during that time, she said the blood wasn’t actually that bad. 
“The tree limb, at that point, was more than likely stopping the blood and keeping him alive.” Her voice was wrought with emotion, “I almost lost him.”

In addition to the hole in his upper right chest, Charles Roddenberry sustained an orbital fracture on his face just below his left eye, his right arm was badly broken, his right shoulder and one of his ribs were also broken.

Two Christian businessmen from the area pitched in to help this family get things back to working order. 
“You gotta do what’s right for other people,” said one.
The other said, “The Word says not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing.” So they wanted to remain anonymous. “I’ll take my reward in heaven.”

After more than a week in the hospital, Charles Roddenberry developed an infection where the tree had impaled him. They performed surgery this last Saturday to clean out the wound.

“The surgery went well. They cleaned it out really well and now have a wound vacuum on it.” Jordan Medley said, “The doctors told him they shouldn’t have anymore trouble with the infection.”
He had another surgery Monday to pin his arm bone back together because, according to Medley, it’s not healing like doctors had hoped.

She is applying for FEMA to see if they will be able to pay for his hospital bills. According to the FEMA website, if the injury was due to a natural disaster, they may very well pay for it.

The family is now dealing with the trauma of it all the best way they know how. 
Seamus Roddenberry said he’s calling it PTS-TREE. “Whenever I try and go to sleep I still see (the tree) coming through (the house).”

Their german shepherd, Phoebe, is also feeling PTS-TREE. 

“She’s closest to Chuck,” Jordan Medley said. “That night, while we were waiting for EMS to get here, she was pressed up against my leg the whole time. She could smell the blood and knew something was wrong.”

The hospital told her that when he comes home he will have to sleep in a recliner. 
Everyone, including Phoebe, will be happy when that day arrives.

The Roddenberry home after Helene. Charles Roddenberry was in the corner where the tree fell. -SVT Photo by Tami Stevenson

Tree limbs being removed from the Roddenberry home, Saturday, after Hurricane Helene brought wind gusts of 118+ mph to the Live Oak area. -SVT Photo by Tami Stevenson

Above: Living room where the tree fell through the night of Hurricane Helene.
-Photo: Jordan Medley