Fatal Tree Accident

TreeSpecialist · 20th March 2008, 09:22 AM

Shock at tree surgeon's chainsaw death - Bexhill Today - Back to Home Page

Even when you're doing everything right, stuff happens.

Quote:

Shock at tree surgeon's chainsaw death

A TREE surgeon died in a chainsaw accident.
Scott David Donnison, 28, was suspended 40 feet up a tree in the back garden of a house in Park Gate, Hailsham.

He died instantly when his chainsaw kicked back from a branch and hit him on the left side of his neck, under his chin.

He was wearing a helmet and full safety equipment at the time.

Emergency services received a call at 11.07am on Wednesday and rushed to the scene.

Police, firefighters, ambulance and a coast guard helicopter were present.

They found the harness attached to Mr Donnison's body tied to the tree.

They struggled to get to the body and had to use a cherry picker platform.

Phil Wilkinson, from Sussex Tree Services, was working in Old Town, Eastbourne, when he learnt about the accident.

He rushed to Park Gate to help.

Mr Wilkinson said: 'A group of us gathered and a policeman told us the chainsaw caught him across his chest and he died instantly.

'He was suspended and it took a while for them to get him down.'

Mr Wilkinson said Mr Donnison may have been reducing the crown of the tree in the back garden.

He added: 'I know a lot of tree surgeons and people in the trade, and it has affected us all.

'I have taken a day off because I feel so shocked about it.

'It is a dangerous job, statistically the most dangerous job in Britain.'

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a full investigation.

A spokesman said: 'The HSE is aware of the incident and are investigating.

'We are working with the police at this moment.'

The death
is being treated as an industrial accident.

It is thought Mr Donnison worked for Allan Russell Tree Surgery in Polegate.

A spokeswoman for the company did not want to comment.
An inquest has opened and adjourned for a full investigation.

A post mortem was due to be carried out today (Thursday).

Mr Donnison, from Hollingbury Park, Brighton, had been married for two years.

His wife was being comforted by family and friends in Winchester.
Email your tributes to sussex.express@sussexnewspapers.co.uk

Tributes:

Scott was such a lovely man and one of my son's closest friends, and my heart goes out to his wife and family.
He will be so greatly missed - such sad news. We were all so deeply shocked and so saddened by this tragic accident.
God Bless you Scott and rest in peace.
The Wallace Family

The full article contains 429 words and appears in Sussex Express Series newspaper.
Last Updated: 20 March 2008 1:38 PM

TreeDimensional · 20th March 2008, 10:23 AM

That is a real tragedy, and a reminder that work positioning is important.

Such a loss when a person trained in the awareness of the risks, passes.

pomme · 20th March 2008, 10:43 AM

Heres another one

BBC NEWS | England | Sussex | Tree worker slashed with chainsaw

Ekka · 20th March 2008, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pomme

Heres another one

BBC NEWS | England | Sussex | Tree worker slashed with chainsaw

It's the same one, poor bugger, condolences to family.

Ace Master · 20th March 2008, 04:39 PM

Condolences to this family and friends, not good news at all such a tragic to the tree community.

JayD · 20th March 2008, 05:00 PM

Condolence's to the Family and Friends. So sad to hear of our Tree Brother's demise...R.I.P.

treevet · 20th March 2008, 08:40 PM

Condolences also and a prayer. The kickback quadrant, upper half of tip of bar.

newguy18 · 20th March 2008, 09:05 PM

prayers for the family.Such a shame he was pretty young too.

pomme · 22nd March 2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

It's the same one, poor bugger, condolences to family.

note to self read the posts properly

quercus · 22nd March 2008, 11:55 AM

R.I.P mate... We'll think about you on the way up next time...

rich · 23rd March 2008, 04:26 AM

R.I.P. Scott. Our condolences and thoughts to all your family from up North.

Can't help wondering if the poor guy was working alone ?

arbdog · 23rd March 2008, 12:39 PM

My condolences too. Its true and we all must remember that arboriculture is a dangerous job and accidents do happen, dispite safe working procidures! its a shame that a job that we all love can actually kill us !

Grizzly · 24th March 2008, 09:32 PM

Thats worse than getting sucked into the wood chipper. at leat when you go through it happend fast enough to were its just instant death. Besides that You could only imagin what his parents are going through if they are stiull arround. I know that if anyhing happened to me doing what I love, not just loseing a chunk of my finger or getting ripped up by the brush going throught the chipper, but actually losing my life would put my pops in such a drpression. it would be dramatic. I have a feeling that his parents are going through something similar. farwell and good luck. another reason why experience counts as well as how you posision your self before making that cut. I've had one too many close call where the chain got pinched and jumped out of my hand luckaly missing my other arm. With the chancr of that happening it may seem like a easy job, but put your saw where you want to cut before making the cut.

evil but true

20th March 2008, 10:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
TreeDimensional Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 381	Re: Fatal Tree Accident That is a real tragedy, and a reminder that work positioning is important. Such a loss when a person trained in the awareness of the risks, passes.

20th March 2008, 10:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
pomme Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 228	Re: Fatal Tree Accident Heres another one BBC NEWS \| England \| Sussex \| Tree worker slashed with chainsaw

20th March 2008, 04:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ace Master Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia, Vic, Melbourne Posts: 279	Re: Fatal Tree Accident Condolences to this family and friends, not good news at all such a tragic to the tree community. __________________ The Mt Dandenong Ranges Tree Specialists

20th March 2008, 05:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 977	Re: Fatal Tree Accident Condolence's to the Family and Friends. So sad to hear of our Tree Brother's demise...R.I.P. __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory

20th March 2008, 08:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
treevet Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 1,123	Re: Fatal Tree Accident Condolences also and a prayer. The kickback quadrant, upper half of tip of bar.

20th March 2008, 09:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,740	Re: Fatal Tree Accident prayers for the family.Such a shame he was pretty young too. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

22nd March 2008, 11:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
quercus Mature tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 428	Re: Fatal Tree Accident R.I.P mate... We'll think about you on the way up next time...

23rd March 2008, 04:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
rich Sappling Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chester Posts: 10	Re: Fatal Tree Accident R.I.P. Scott. Our condolences and thoughts to all your family from up North. Can't help wondering if the poor guy was working alone ?

23rd March 2008, 12:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
arbdog Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: england Posts: 104	Re: Fatal Tree Accident My condolences too. Its true and we all must remember that arboriculture is a dangerous job and accidents do happen, dispite safe working procidures! its a shame that a job that we all love can actually kill us !

24th March 2008, 09:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
Grizzly Sappling Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: California Posts: 25	Re: Fatal Tree Accident Thats worse than getting sucked into the wood chipper. at leat when you go through it happend fast enough to were its just instant death. Besides that You could only imagin what his parents are going through if they are stiull arround. I know that if anyhing happened to me doing what I love, not just loseing a chunk of my finger or getting ripped up by the brush going throught the chipper, but actually losing my life would put my pops in such a drpression. it would be dramatic. I have a feeling that his parents are going through something similar. farwell and good luck. another reason why experience counts as well as how you posision your self before making that cut. I've had one too many close call where the chain got pinched and jumped out of my hand luckaly missing my other arm. With the chancr of that happening it may seem like a easy job, but put your saw where you want to cut before making the cut. evil but true __________________

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