Westminster man dies after fall from tree

Eric Frei · 23rd April 2009, 12:03 AM

Westminster man dies after fall from tree : Local News : Anderson Independent-Mail

Quote:

WALHALLA — A 52 year-old Westminster man died Monday of blunt force trauma consistent with his injuries after falling out of a tree, according to Oconee County coroner Karl Addis.

Douglas Eugene Lee of 361 Berry Farm Road fell from a tree at his home about 7:25 p.m. Monday and was pronounced dead at 8:42 p.m. at Oconee Medical Center, Addis said.

An autopsy was performed late Tuesday morning on Lee, who was an experienced bee handler.

The autopsy showed he died from blunt force trauma consistent with impact injuries after falling from a tree, Addis said. These blunt force injuries resulted in internal trauma and bleeding. His manner of death is classified as accidental.

Lee had climbed a pine tree 20 feet to 25 feet to retrieve a swarm of honeybees, although it is unclear if the bees swarmed on him, Addis said in a statement.

“It appeared he may have been descending the tree when he fell from a tree stand which he had used to ascend (climb) the tree,” Addis said in the statement.

“Mr. Lee was found by his niece, who is a medical first responder with the Oconee County Rescue Squad and lives nearby. She reported he was conscious lying on his stomach when she got to him,” Addis said. “He asked her for assistance.”

Lee, who had cardiac health problems, had a heart attack at the scene, Addis said.

Descending the tree with a hunting stand ... now these hunting stands are used a lot in the USA by shooter/hunters and they have a real lot of accidents.

Sadly this man, at his age, with a heart problem went up the tree to do his thing with bees. You dont have to fall far, in fact they say a 4' fall will over double your bodyweight and break bones/backs/necks etc. If a fall is totally unprepared for by the time you respond (0.2secs on average) you would have already fallen 1m (3').

Dont kid yourself, safety saddles and harnesses are used by pro's for a reason, we also ensure that there's no slack in the system, arborists working trees use work positioning systems and are guided under such, not fall restraint systems.

Condolences to the family, sad situation.

Bruce Hopf · 24th April 2009, 04:44 PM

I have to agree. I used to do Deer Hunting from a Tree Stand in my Late Teens, and when I was up in the Tree, I was always Terrified of falling.
Putting the Stand up in the Tree was bad enough, while having Climbing Spurs, Safety Belt, and using a Rope to haul up the Tree Stand, and anchoring it to the side of the Tree, and hoping not to fall.
After a while, I gave up the Stand, and used a Lawn Chair, not too far from the Deer Path.
Feel bad for the Family. Bruce.

24th April 2009, 04:44 PM	#2
Bruce Hopf Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North of Sebringville, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,167	Re: Westminster man dies after fall from tree I have to agree. I used to do Deer Hunting from a Tree Stand in my Late Teens, and when I was up in the Tree, I was always Terrified of falling. Putting the Stand up in the Tree was bad enough, while having Climbing Spurs, Safety Belt, and using a Rope to haul up the Tree Stand, and anchoring it to the side of the Tree, and hoping not to fall. After a while, I gave up the Stand, and used a Lawn Chair, not too far from the Deer Path. Feel bad for the Family. Bruce. __________________ McCulloch chain saws 1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's, 2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener, 1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver 2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10 Stihl chain saws 2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084, Strunk chain saws 1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

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