By NANCY RUMP

BELLEPLAIN - An area man plunged nearly 20 feet from a tree Thursday afternoon in a freak hunting accident, according to State Police.

Jim Groome, 61, of Maurice River Township fell to the ground from a tree stand in Dennis Township Nov. 20 and suffered injuries to his right hip and right shoulder, said Sgt. Dwight Payne of the Woodbine barracks. He was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, after a friend called 911 for help. Payne said Groome’s injuries were non-threatening.

Groome was hunting in the Belleplain section of the township about a half mile from Sunset Drive at 5:15 p.m. when he attempted to climb down from the tree stand and a branch broke beneath him and caused him to fall approximately 20 feet to the ground, Payne said. When troopers John Wheeler and Justin Greene arrived at the scene, the hunter was being treated by members of the Belleplain Emergency Corps.

“He was able to use his cell phone to contact a friend who had been hunting with him, who in turn called 911,” said Payne.

The accident remains under investigation with Trooper Greene at the Woodbine barracks.