Tribune Staff Reports

A 76-year-old Seymour man died in a logging accident Friday on the southeast side of the city.

Walter J. Hurtt Jr. and a second man were helping clear a wooded area of trees in the 4200 block of County Road 975E when the incident occurred.

Hurtt was pronounced dead at the scene by Jackson County Coroner Roger Wheeler.

Wheeler said the results of an autopsy conducted by pathologist George Weir at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour showed Hurtt died of chest injuries.

Jackson County Officer Adam Nicholson investigated the incident and said it was witnessed by Mike Black, 58, of Jennings County, who was working with Hurtt at the time.

“He was cutting a tree; and when it started coming down, the top of the tree caught on some other trees that were still standing,” Nicholson said of the incident, reported at 9:43 a.m. Friday.

That action caused the base of the 3-foot-thick tree to rise up and then roll, Nicholson said.

Hurtt was not able to get out of the way before it rolled over him, Nicholson said.

Nicholson, who was assisted by Lt. Andy Wayman, said he was told Hurtt and Black were cutting down trees to help someone clear space for a house when the accident occurred.