FREETOWN, Glaro Administrative District – A tragic accident occurred on Saturday, August 16, 2025, when 39-year-old Morris Nimely was severely injured during a tree-cutting operation in the dense forests of Freetown, Glaro Administrative District, River Gee County. The incident, which left him with a broken left leg and multiple deep wounds, has raised fresh concerns about safety practices in the timber sector.
According to eyewitnesses, Nimely, who had been working under the supervision of professional power saw operator and employer, Barway Tuekaisuah, had persistently requested to fell a large Dawoma tree despite not being a skilled operator. Tuekaisuah initially refused, citing the risks involved, but eventually gave in to Nimely’s request. Unfortunately, as the Dawoma tree was being felled, it collided with a neighboring tree, causing a heavy branch to snap loose and crash directly onto Nimely.
He was quickly rushed by co-workers and nearby residents to the Freetown Clinic, where medical staff provided emergency treatment. Health workers reported that while Nimely is now in stable condition, the extent of his injuries requires long-term medical care, including possible surgery and rehabilitation. Family members and neighbors who gathered at the clinic expressed both relief at his survival and concern over the growing dangers linked to unregulated power saw operations in rural areas.
Power saw operation has become one of the most common survival strategies for many unemployed men in River Gee County. With limited job opportunities, residents turn to felling trees for timber and charcoal production, which are then sold in nearby towns and across county borders. While the practice provides income, it also exposes workers to high risks due to a lack of training, poor equipment, and the absence of safety gear such as helmets, gloves, and boots.
Local statistics show that in the last two years, at least 18 individuals have either lost their lives or sustained life-altering injuries from tree-felling accidents in River Gee and surrounding counties. Many of these victims were young men between the ages of 20 and 40 who, like Nimely, ventured into the dangerous trade without proper expertise or oversight.
Community leaders in Glaro have begun voicing alarm over the increasing number of casualties. They are appealing to the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Ministry of Labor, and local authorities to enforce stricter safety standards in timber-related activities. Suggestions include mandatory training programs for operators, licensing requirements for power saw users, and community awareness campaigns on forest safety.
“This is not just about one man,” said an elder in Freetown who visited the clinic. “Our young people are risking their lives every day because they have no other means of survival. Government needs to step in with both regulation and job opportunities.”
Meanwhile, family members of the injured man have called for urgent assistance. They are seeking financial support to ensure Nimely receives advanced medical care, as the small clinic in Freetown lacks the capacity for specialized treatment. Plans are reportedly underway to transfer him to a larger health facility in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, or possibly Monrovia if his condition worsens.
The incident has reignited conversations on balancing rural livelihoods with safety standards in Liberia’s forestry sector. While timber work remains a crucial source of income, experts warn that without proper oversight, more lives will continue to be endangered. For residents of Freetown and the wider Glaro District, Nimely’s accident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for safer practices in the country’s growing but largely informal logging industry.
