Tree worker David Bova, 34, with Mayer Tree Service, killed after he fell 50 feet when his harness that attached to a Grove All-Terrain crane snapped in Rowley, Mass.

ROWLEY, Mass. —

A tree worker died Thursday when his safety equipment failed and he fell 50 feet from a tree in Rowley.

David Bova, 34, of Salem, New Hampshire, was working on a crew from Mayer Tree Service at a home on Main Street.



Bova was in a harness in a tree preparing to remove a branch when the harness snapped, officials said.

Bova was taken to Anna Jacques Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.



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The worker fell from a tree outside this house on Main Street in Rowley. (WBZ-TV)

ROWLEY, Mass. (CBS) – 

A man working for a tree service company fell 50 feet out a tree in Rowley Thursday morning and died.

The 34-year-old from Salem, New Hampshire has been identified as David Bova. He was part of a crew from Mayer Tree Service of Andover, Mass. working at a home on Main Street around 8 a.m.


“The man was in the tree preparing to remove a branch when he suddenly fell from approximately 50 feet up. He was transported to Anna Jacques Hospital where he was pronounced dead,” Carrie Kimball Monahan, a spokesperson for the Essex District Attorney’s Office, said in a statement.

Emergency dispatchers at the scene could be heard talking about a severe head injury.

“While foul play is not suspected, the matter remains under investigation,” Kimball Monahan said.


The man’s name has not been made public.

There has been no comment yet from Mayer Tree Service.

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) records, the company has had some issues with falls in the past, once in 2008 and again in 2011. An OSHA spokesman told WBZ-TV there were no violations or citations in the 2008 incident. In the 2011 inspection, Mayer was cited for one serious violation with a proposed fine of $4,900. However, the company contested OSHA’s findings and the citation and penalty were dropped.

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Mayer Picks Grove All-Terrain Cranes for Capacity Tree Service.

Tree removal companies in the United States choose boom trucks to help remove felled trees. However, Mayer Tree Service, Inc. prefers the additional capacity and reach of Grove all-terrain cranes.

Crane Service provided by Mayer Tree Service, Inc. includes:

• Two (2) 150' Cranes
• One (1) 278' Crane
• Professional Consultations
• Hazardous Tree Evaluation and Removal
• Overhead Line Tree Removal
• Emergency Services

About Our Cranes-From Dan Mayer

Dan Mayer, president of Mayer Tree Service, says that although the all-terrain crane is more expensive than a boom truck, he can complete the work quicker and maximize his revenue.

"Using the Grove all-terrain cranes has really increased our production and we haven't had to increase our manpower," he says. "We are able to do more volume with less manpower, and that's what it's all about." Mayer operates two Grove GMK3055 cranes rated with a 60 USt (55 tons) maximum capacity and a maximum main boom of 141 feet. The size and weight of the loads that Mayer picks depends on factors such as the type of tree, where the tree is cut and the distance the crane is from the pick. The majority of picks are in the 3,000 - 4,000 pounds range, but can go up to 7,000 - 8,000 pounds. With so many variables, Mayer says Grove's higher capacity allows more versatility on job sites.

"Because of the Grove's high tip heights we can pick an entire 70 feet (21 meters) pine tree weighing maybe 6,000 pounds (2.7 tons)," he says. "We'll pick it in one piece. It's a lot safer. The guys on the ground just need to make one cut in the tree. Using a bigger crane lowers our exposure and the number of people we need to have off the ground." The GMK3055 has obvious advantages in terms of reach and lift capacity. But it is a larger machine, so some customers may worry about access and ground pressure.

But Dan Mayer says both of these concerns are unfounded. "Everybody thinks the GMK3055 is a big truck, but the footprint is only 20-feet 6-inches between the outrigger pistons," he says. "That's important because we're often in restricted driveways. Other people look at it being heavy and wonder if I destroy many driveways. But actually I don't because of Grove's MEGATRAK suspension, which transfers weight intelligently."

Mayer also points out that the GMK has wider tires so the load spreads over a wider area. The all-wheel drive and crab steering allow it to maneuver into the tightest spots. In fact, Mayer is quick to note that the three-axle GMK3055 actually has a smaller turning circle than his pick-up truck.

Both GMK3055 cranes were supplied to Mayer through local Manitowoc dealer, Shawmut Equipment Company. Because it is relatively unusual to find all-terrain cranes working in arboreal environments, Mayer maintains close communication with his local dealer and it's a relationship that has developed well.

Mayer says the support and service from Shawmut allow him to work the Grove all-terrain cranes hard - and they consistently perform. "I couldn't say enough good things about Shawmut; they give us just incredible support," he says. "We work in a tough environment and we're putting the crane up sometimes four times a day at four different addresses. Our hours are high and the conditions are harsh, with the wood chips and the dusty environment. But sometimes it's just amazing what we get done in the day; the GMKs impress me all the time." Mayer Tree Service is headquartered in Essex, MA. Company owner, Dan Mayer, started the business 11 years ago. Today Mayer runs eight crews with two crews running the cranes. There are between three and four men per crew and 30 people in total at the company. Dan Mayer is also the current president of the Massachusetts Arborists Association.

The Manitowoc Co., Inc. is one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes, tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. As a leading manufacturer of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, and commercial refrigeration equipment, the company offers the broadest line of cold-focused equipment for the food service industry. In addition, the company is a leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and conversion services for government, military, and commercial customers throughout the US maritime industry.