September 21, 2006

By KOMO Staff & News Services

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BONNEY LAKE, WASH. - A commercial tree-service worker was killed Thursday when a tree fell on him at a property near Bonney Lake, east of Tacoma.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue chief Dan Packer said the man was part of a crew hired to do work at a private residence when the accident occurred shortly after 11 a.m.

Packer said the crew was felling an 80-foot Douglas fir, and the victim was one of two men pulling on a rope to have it fall in the right direction. Packer says the tree fell as intended, but the victim ran in the direction of the fall rather than to the side. The tree hit him and killed him instantly.

The victim's name was not immediately available

Submitted on 09/21/2006

Submitted by: Carlo Gnecchi
Reference: komonews.com 09/21/06

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James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
As simple as this is, this is quite classic! He runs in the direction of the fall...quite cartoony! Thanks, Carlo, I wonder if my fellow mods and the readers will see the visual as I do! :-)

Sheryl said:
Maybe Toss: Other
Thanks for the story, Carlo. I think we need more information on this one. There may not have been any stupidity involved, just an error in judgement.

Fitzroy said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I see a great deal of potential here, though I also concede that there is little information and there might have been extenuating circumstances. Still, the decedent was a professional, and ought to have been keenly aware of his surroundings while pulling on that rope.

Jorge said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
This is a repeat with less information of an older story

Graham said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
This one has appeared before with more detail. However, witnesses say the man DID run towards the tree. Think about this. In the circumstances, it MAY actually have made sense, i.e. avoid the massive canopy by running towards the thinner trunk. Yes? Trick was to watch the trunk of course.

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