Experienced woodsman killed while cutting tree

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dave11

Minister of Fire
May 25, 2008
633
Western PA
Here's a story about a fatality near here. Apparently he cut wood and trees frequently. Hard to say what actually happened.

Barber chair, maybe?

Fatal accident
 
"Blunt force trauma to the head." Maybe a widowmaker got him.

I don't know if he was wearing a helmet, but being a firefighter, he should know about PPE and the importance of safety precautions. Sad.
 
Plus, he was cutting alone. Wasn't found till later.

Tree was a 40-50 foot cherry tree.
 
This must be a terribly hard time for his family. Should be a reminder to all of us. Consider your family before you are tempted to try anything dangerous with a saw.
 
KTLM said:
This must be a terribly hard time for his family. Should be a reminder to all of us. Consider your family before you are tempted to try anything dangerous with a saw.
Well said! +10
 
Almost a year ago to the day my dad was cutting down a storm damaged oak in his yard. Mom was out of town, and he was working alone. She called me to check on him because he 'didn't sound right' on the phone. He answered the door with a huge gash on his head, blood all over the house. A craniotomy, 6 weeks in intensive care, and weeks of rehab. I estimate that 5 or 6 hours had passed from the time of the accident, to the time I found him.

He'll be 75 this year. He's got some residual weakness in his left arm, and seems a bit more reserved than he used to be. But I consider him and our family to be very fortunate.

So what happened? He remembers that the tree got hung up, thats all. I was 20 minutes away, but Dad has always been self-sufficient. I admire that - to a point - this was just not worth it.


Gabe
 
KTLM said:
This must be a terribly hard time for his family. Should be a reminder to all of us. Consider your family before you are tempted to try anything dangerous with a saw.

Well said. I cut firewood alone very often. This accident happened in my neck of the woods......really makes me think twice about downing a tree no matter how safety conscience I may be. I think I'll stick to the stuff that nature has brought down. My family is too important to take unnecessary risks.
 
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