By TYESHA BOUDREAUX The Daily Sentinel

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A Nacogdoches man died Saturday night from injuries he sustained while attempting to cut a tree that was damaged during Hurricane Ike, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the Nacogdoches Police Department.

According to the release, the victim was 26-year-old Rosario Guerrero. However, information received from Laird Funeral Home, which is in charge of funeral arrangements, indicates that the man's name was Rosalio Razo-Guerrero, 28.

The accident happened Thursday night at the man's home in the 200 block of West Seale Street, the NPD release said.

The investigation revealed that Guerrero, who had secured himself to a tree with a rope, had climbed the tree to remove damage caused by the high winds of Hurricane Ike, the report said. Part of the tree then fell, carrying with it the rope and Guerrero, who then fell 35 feet to the ground.

NPD, the Nacogdoches Fire Department and Nacogdoches County Hospital District EMS all responded to the accident, the release said.

Guerrero was transported to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital where he died at 9:55 p.m. Saturday night.

Guerrero's death has been classified as a hurricane fatality, according to Sgt. Greg Sowell, Nacogdoches Police Department community services and public information officer.

Sowell said he was not aware of any other local Hurricane Ike related deaths or injuries stemming from clean up. He also cautioned people with property damages to be careful while using chain saws, ladders and electrical power sources.

"If you're not sure, get a professional," he said. "Some of these dangerous, tall trees are best left to professionals. Always, always have a method of escape if you're cutting a tree."

Submitted on 09/24/2008

Submitted by: Gordon West
Reference: DailySentinel.com 9/23/08

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Even healthy trees can be dangerous to cut down if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Tying yourself to a hurricane damaged tree and then trying to cut it up is definitely NOT a good idea. Thanks, Gordon.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Ummm...aren't you supposed to cut ABOVE the rope!?! This is stupidity at its finest, and not just not-thinking-for-a-moment, like when my dad misplaced a ladder while cutting a branch. And fell ten feet. (It's been two months and he's doing fine.) Thanks, Gordon!

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