Wednesday, March 18, 2015

MAN TRIMMING TREE USING A BOOM TRUCK DIES AFTER ROPE BREAKS, ‘CATAPULTING’ HIM 30 FEET DOWN ONTO A PILE OF WOOD





MARCH 13, 2015

WELLSVILLE, UTAH 

A 50-year-old man died in Wellsville Thursday evening in an accident that occurred as he was trimming a tree with the use of a boom truck, and a witness reports the man fell about 30 feet.

According to a press release from Cache County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was identified as 50-year-old Jeffery Glenn of Wellsville.

The press release states dispatch received a report of the fall around 5:30 p.m., and the fall occurred between 300 South and 300 West in Westville.  Glenn was trimming a tree while using a boom truck, and he had tied a rope to the tree and the boom in an attempt to keep tree limbs away from power lines.

While the man was trimming the tree, the rope broke, “catapulting the victim out of the bucket and onto a pile of wood.”

A nearby witness started CPR and called 911. Emergency responders took the man to Logan Regional Hospital by ambulance, where the man was pronounced dead upon arrival.

“This is a tragic accident for all those involved,” Sheriff Chad Jensen stated in the press release. “The Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Glenn.”

The press release states the incident has been referred to the State Medical Examiner’s office for a determination of the cause of death.

Pruning trees is a dangerous job and should be left to the professionals.  It is important to note that even the professionals do die on the job.  Hopefully, those working with trees, tree pruning companies and arborist associations will continue to emphasize the importance of wearing a harness and short lanyard when using boom type lifts and get the message across to their employees/members and the general public, that failure to do so can easily have a fatal ending, as the devastated families, colleagues and friends of Mr. Glenn can sadly attest.