Solimine expected to recover

LYNN – David Solimine Jr. spoke from his hospital bed Monday about the weekend tree-cutting accident that left him facing a long recovery from neck, back and left ankle fractures.The local developer and business community leader suffered the injuries when a 25-foot-tall tree he was cutting down in his Peabody backyard Saturday afternoon fell on him.?It just kicked the wrong way,” he said.Although seriously injured, Solimine, 55, managed to call his son Joel from his Margin Street backyard.?He remembers the tree kicking back and heading toward him. The next thing he remembered he was on the lawn,” Joel Solimine said.Joel Solimine said Peabody police officers and firefighters and an Atlantic Ambulance crew reached his father?s house ahead of him and took his father to Salem Hospital. He said doctors determined his father?s injuries were serious enough to require transporting him to Massachusetts General Hospital.Solimine sustained “multiple fractures,” according to his son, and a “two-inch gash on his head.” But the past chairman of the board of directors for the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce jokingly quoted Mark Twain from his hospital bed and expressed hope on Monday of returning home in a week.Joel Solimine said doctors have initially said his father does not need surgery but indicated Solimine will be in a neck and back brace for six weeks.?A full recovery is expected,” the younger Solimine said.That?s good news, said chamber board chairman Taso Nikolakopoulos.?We are very concerned. Dave?s a big part of the city with what he does,” Nikolakopoulos said.Solimine and his son repeatedly thanked Peabody and Atlantic emergency workers and Salem and MGH hospital employees for their efforts. Friends and family members called Solimine family members looking for information during the weekend and on Monday.?The entire Solimine family appreciates everybody?s support and the great care at Salem and MGH,” Joel Solimine said.Hospital visits are, for now, limited to family, he said. David Solimine Jr. also has a son, Michael, and Joel Solimine said his father started tackling work duties with his sons even as he fielded doctors? visits and family calls Monday.