CLIFTON — A local man was injured Wednesday evening when a metal sign bracket struck him in the head, according to officials.

Andrew Stearns, 29, was attempting to pull the bracket out of a large pine tree in his yard, according to Maine Warden Service spokesman Doug Rafferty, when the bracket snapped and hit him on the side of the head.

Stearns was using his ATV to get the sign out, according to Rafferty.

“It appears the bracket came free and struck him in the head,” Rafferty said.

The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Rafferty said Stearns’ wife witnessed the incident and called 911.

Game Warden Dave Georgia was assisted by Penobscot County Sheriff’s Deputies Ray Goodspeed, Bobby Pelletier and Sgt. Roy Perry.

Stearns is listed in critical condition at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Rafferty said. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.

The sheriff’s office is conducting an investigation.