HUNTINGTON – Police say a man gathering firewood was killed when a tree fell on him in Huntington.
The town’s police chief, Robert Garriepy, said the 44-year-old Westfield man was with family chopping down trees for firewood in a remote wooded area of town off Goss Hill Road at about 3:15 p.m. Thursday when he was “crushed” by a tree.
Police and firefighters rushed to the accident scene off Route 112 and transported the man to Noble Hospital in Westfield, where he was pronounced dead.
Garriepy said Huntington police, fire and Hilltown Ambulance responded, calling the death “a tragic accident.”
He said a hanging limb, or “widowmaker”, came back on the man and crushed him. His teenage son witnessed the accident.
Hilltown ambulance transported him to Noble, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said a medical helicopter was requested but then canceled after emergency workers attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene.
The man’s name was not made public at press time.
