Update from Hawaii Police Department, March 13, 3012:
A 30-year-old man died Monday (March 12) after a tree fell on him while he was helping to clear a vacant lot in Puna.
The victim has been identified as Methodius Suda of Hilo.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Monday, Puna patrol officers responded to 15th Ave off Maku?u Street in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision and learned that Suda had been helping cut down trees on a relative’s lot. As he was cutting an Albizia tree, he was struck in the head by a falling ?ohia tree and knocked unconscious. The 30-40 foot ?ohia tree, about 8-10 inches in diameter, had already been cut and was leaning against the Albizia tree before it knocked against Suda.
Fire Department personnel took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m.
An autopsy was conducted Tuesday (March 13). Preliminary results were not immediately available.
Police do not suspect foul play.
Original story, March 12, 2012:
Hawaii County Fire Department reports that a 32-year-old man was knocked unconscious Monday afternoon when a large tree fell on him while he was clearing a lot in the Makuu area of Puna. The call came in at 3:30.
The man and his family were clearing the vacant lot when a 30-foot tree, roughly 12 to 18 inches in diameter, was felled and landed on the man’s head, causing him to immediately collapse.
Fire officials said the man was found with a large hematoma to his head. He was not breathing and had no pulse.
Fire personnel began cardiopulmonary resuscitation upon arrival, and was taken to the emergency room.
Fire officials said the vacant lot was thick with brush and several large albizia trees.
