2 troopers hurt in 20-foot fall from tree in Pa. fugitive manhunt

BLOOMING GROVE, Pa. -- State police say two troopers injured in a fall from a tree stand while searching for the fugitive suspected of ambushing a northeastern Pennsylvania barracks were treated and released after they were flown to a hospital.

Police say the troopers from the Harrisburg barracks entered the wooden hunting blind attached to a tree about 20 feet off the ground to make sure the structure was unoccupied.

Trooper Thomas Kelly says the floor collapsed and both men fell to the ground. They were treated and then flown to Lehigh Valley Medical Center, where they were treated and released.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers have been searching since Sept. 12 for 31-year-old Eric Frein following the shooting that killed one trooper and injured another outside the Blooming Grove barracks.

Hunting and trapping has been banned in seven northeastern Pennsylvania townships after police found explosive devices allegedly left by Frein.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission issued the ban on Wednesday, one day after state police revealed that two pipe bombs were found in the woods where Frein is believed to be hiding.

Lt. Col. George Bivens said that investigators have found "several items" attributed to Frein, including the pipe bombs which could be detonated by trip wires or a lighted fuse.

The pipe bombs had the capability of causing substantial damage, Bivens said.

The search for Frein entered its 20th day Thursday. He is charged with opening fire at the Blooming Grove barracks during a shift change on the night of Sept. 12, killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and seriously injuring Trooper Alex Douglass.

Bivens said Tuesday that he was confident that the manhunt has "significantly degraded" Frein's abilities.

"I'm certain he's not sleeping well at night," Bivens said.