An elderly man fell off a ladder Monday and was impaled by a metal fence, according to neighbours in east Maple Ridge.
He was found by one just after 4 p.m. Neighbours said the man was cleaning leaves from the gutter of his house near Albion elementary, by 240th Street, and fell off a ladder onto a metal fence.
"It was a complicated rescue," said Maple Ridge fire chief Howard Exner.
The man was taken to hospital by ambulance.
A family friend said the man, 71, is in serious condition.
“He was impaled through the neck and head area.”
He had surgery to cope with swelling.
The man's son said the surgery went well.
"He seems to be doing OK."
More will be known when he wakes and swelling goes down.