Sugarcreek Twp. emergency officials said Hinzen fell just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the back yard of a subdivision. He was taken by helicopter ambulance to Miami Valley Hospital in critical condition, but he later died from his injuries. The incident remains under police investigation.
Homeowner Bob Lupini, 1761 River Ridge Drive, said he hired Reliable Tree & Mulch of Springfield to remove a large dangling limb hanging over his backyard.
The limb posed a danger since it partially broke from the trunk following heavy winds weeks ago.
The tree trimmers arrived and used climbing equipment to saw the heavy limb down. Lupini said he was then advised by the crew that other limbs should be taken down. Lupini said he asked if the trimmer felt comfortable going that high, and he replied yes. Using a security rope and harness, the trimmer hauled himself nearly to the top of the tree and began to work, his crew observing him from the back deck of the house.
The trimmer cut one limb, then turned to cut another, Lupino said he was told.
But the last limb was apparently the one he was secured to by his safety rope, Lupini said. The limb fell, and took the trimmer down with it. Lupini rushed from inside the house after the accident. The trimming crew then told him their coworker fell after cutting the limb he was secured to.
“The guys with him didn’t understand,” Lupini said. “Why did he cut the branch he was secured to?”
His crew said Heinzen had 30 years experience. Wednesday afternoon, the police investigation continued. Township Fire Chief Randall J. Pavlak said Wednesday afternoon that “it is unclear what may have caused the accident.”
This is the second fatal tree trimming accident in the area this week. Mike Akers, 38, of Middletown, died around 4 p.m. Tuesday at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton after he was struck in the head by a 40-pound branch that fell 40 feet, according to a family friend.
About the Author