NATCHEZ — A Natchez man is on the road to recovery after falling approximately 12 feet from a tree stand, suffering a punctured lung, a gash to his head and multiple broken bones.

Ken Beesley Jr., 49, fell just before noon on Sept. 3 while he and his brother, Craig, were hanging deer tree stands with a friend on their hunting property in the Natchez area in preparation for archery deer season opening Oct. 1.

Ken was airlifted to Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana, soon after the incident and is now back in Merit Health Natchez, where he is receiving rehab and treatment, Craig Beesley said.

“He’s doing a lot better,” Craig said. “He returned last Sunday, and has been back at Merit Health for about a week and a half. … He’s making tremendous improvements daily.”

Craig said Ken is able to move everything except his left arm, where surgeons had to repair a tendon in one of his fingers.

“He has a plate in his arm with 16 screws,” Craig said. “The most pain he has is in his back from broken ribs and fractured vertebrae.”

Pain aside, Craig said he expects his brother to make a full recovery.

“He’s doing a lot better now, and he’s able to endure the pain,” he said. “We’re thankful for all the thoughts and prayers that are being sent his way. … We think he’s going to make a full recovery once he has use of his left hand.”

To help the Beesleys cover medical costs, Craig said the family is hosting a benefit raffle starting Oct. 1. The drawing will be Oct. 31, Craig said, and participants could win a $300 gift card for the Sports Center,  $150 gift card for Roux 61, $100 gift card for Go-Mart or a guided turkey hunt from Preston Edwards — the owner of Pine Crest Construction in Natchez.

Tickets are sold at the Sports Center, Go-Mart and online at Margaret Beesley’s Facebook page, Craig said, and one ticket costs $10 or three tickets are $25.