Logger Killed By Falling Tree In Washington County
WEST FINLEY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A logger was killed Wednesday afternoon when he was struck and pinned under a falling tree in Washington County.
The accident happened around 2:45 p.m. in a rural area along West Finley Road in West Finley Township, nearing the border of West Virginia.
The Washington County Coroner's Office has identified the victim as 46-year-old John Pirl of Normalville. He was pronounced dead at the scene around 4:30 p.m.
According to the coroner's office, Pirl died of compression asphyxia.
According to the Washington County Coroner and the West Finley Township Police chief, Pirl was working with another man to cut down trees when his partner left for about 30 minutes to deliver some of the logs.
When the man returned, authorities say he found Pirl on the ground with the tree on top of him.
He called 911 and cut the tree away from Pirl's body, but when emergency officials arrived on the scene there was nothing they could do.
Both men worked for a logging company.
They had been working in that same area for several months.
The victim has not yet been identified.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
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