WESTBROOK – James Tranchemontagne, a well-known Westbrook resident and owner of the Frog & Turtle restaurant on Bridge Street, is recuperating from injuries he received in a devastating fall from a tree Sept. 16.

Tranchemontagne this week recounted the accident from his room at New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland, saying that he has been floored by the number of friends and city officials who have reached out with support.

According to Tranchemontagne, he was doing yard work at his family’s new home in Westbrook, attempting to pull a dead limb from a large tree on his property. He said that after he climbed the tree, a branch gave way. He fell 10-12 feet. Tranchemontagne landed straight up, breaking his right femur near his hip, and suffering two compression fractures in his lumbar 1 and lumbar 2 vertebrae.

“The whole branch gave out clean, and down I went,” he said Tuesday, describing the fall. “It never started to crack or anything.”

He said, luckily, a friend was with him, and called an ambulance.

“Westbrook Rescue was truly amazing,” he said. “They could tell I was in a lot of pain, and were very aware of the issues surrounding a spinal injury.”

He said he still cannot lift his right leg, but has been up and about on crutches. However, he said, his back injury is the most devastating of the two. He is now wearing a full back brace to avoid any further injury to the sensitive area.

Tranchemontagne was in Maine Medical Center until Friday, when he was transferred to the rehabilitation center. Doctors expect to release him this Friday, but said he’ll be in a back brace anywhere from six to 12 weeks. He said due to the spinal fractures, he’s limited to carrying 10 pounds.

“It’s frustrating, and I have a baby on the way, so if I’m lucky she’ll be under 10 pounds,” he said laughing, showing he’s in good spirits.

Throughout the past week, he said, he’s received hundreds of calls, texts, emails and Facebook messages about the incident, with people offering support in any way.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Tranchemontagne said, “I appreciate all the nice words and people helping with my family and business. So much love and support. God bless and thank you all.”

On Tuesday, he added that “it was really nice to get those emails, and people saying, ‘We’re pulling for you,’” he said.

Tranchemontagne received a visit Monday from Travis Mills, a nationally recognized U.S. veteran who is a quadruple amputee. Mills was visiting the rehabilitation hospital. Tranchemontage called the visit “very inspirational.”

While support for Tranchemontagne is evident, he said Tuesday that he’s concerned for his business, and is sad to be away from the kitchen during harvest season, his favorite time of the year.

“This is truly the time of year I love to be in the kitchen,” he said.

But, he said, he has faith in his chef, co-owner and other staff, whom he is trusting to keep the restaurant churning out some of the city’s most popular food.

“For the short term, it will work, but I’m anxious to get back to what I love and get back on the line,” he said.

James Tranchemontagne, wearing a full back brace, is recuperating this week after a serious fall.