Updated at 12:09 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A 63-year-old Toledo man is dead after a logging accident yesterday afternoon about four miles east of Toledo.
It appeared he was working alone when a tree fell on him, according to Lewis County Fire District 2.
“My understanding is the deceased was overdue and a relative or relatives went to the job site and found him,” Fire Chief Grant Wiltbank said.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said it occurred between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. yesterday in a wooded area at the 200 block of Maw Road. Firefighters, medics and deputies responded to the call at 5 p.m.
The Lewis County Coroner’s Office identifies him as Alex Oberg.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Rob Snaza said it appeared the victim was employing a “domino” tree falling technique in which saw cuts were made to multiple trees in order to create a cascade of falling trees.
Wind gusts may have caused some to fall while he was cutting others, Snaza said.
The state Department of Labor and Industries and the coroner’s office are conducting investigations, according to Snaza.
Coroner Warren McLeod said an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow, but there is no reason to think it was anything other than an accident.