A tree cutter in Washington County died on the job after officials said the tree snapped Monday afternoon. Washington County dispatchers told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that the coroner was called to the 1000 block of Lynn Portal Road in Canton Township around 4:30 p.m. According to a release from county coroner Tim Warco, the victim was a contractor hired to cut down a tree at a residence along Lynn Portal Road. The coroner said the tree fell in an unintended direction and struck the contractor, who was later identified as 42-year-old Ryan Jenny of Houston, Pennsylvania. Greene Washington Regional Police Chief William DeForte told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 the tree cutter attempted to direct the fall by tying the top of the tree. “While he was cutting at a lower level, there was a stress fracture, which happened approximately 25 feet above his head where the tree had snapped, causing the entire weight of the tree to fall upon him,” DeForte said. The homeowner called 911, and CPR was performed on Jenny, but according to DeForte, he was unresponsive. “It was critical. The tree had to be removed, so Canton Township Fire Department – we needed their expertise in removing the tree before CPR could be administered,” the chief said. DeForte said the victim performed the job alone and worked for his own company. “From what our investigation has shown us now, you know, everything was done appropriately. He had all the safety lines set in place,” DeForte said. “He was very professional.”The South Strabane Fire Department said in a post on Facebook that their crews, alongside Canton Township Fire and Rescue, Chartiers Township Fire, and Ambulance and Chair EMS, responded to the scene. An investigation is now underway. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. —

A tree cutter in Washington County died on the job after officials said the tree snapped Monday afternoon.

Washington County dispatchers told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that the coroner was called to the 1000 block of Lynn Portal Road in Canton Township around 4:30 p.m.

According to a release from county coroner Tim Warco, the victim was a contractor hired to cut down a tree at a residence along Lynn Portal Road.

The coroner said the tree fell in an unintended direction and struck the contractor, who was later identified as 42-year-old Ryan Jenny of Houston, Pennsylvania.

Greene Washington Regional Police Chief William DeForte told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 the tree cutter attempted to direct the fall by tying the top of the tree.

“While he was cutting at a lower level, there was a stress fracture, which happened approximately 25 feet above his head where the tree had snapped, causing the entire weight of the tree to fall upon him,” DeForte said.

The homeowner called 911, and CPR was performed on Jenny, but according to DeForte, he was unresponsive.

“It was critical. The tree had to be removed, so Canton Township Fire Department – we needed their expertise in removing the tree before CPR could be administered,” the chief said.

DeForte said the victim performed the job alone and worked for his own company.

“From what our investigation has shown us now, you know, everything was done appropriately. He had all the safety lines set in place,” DeForte said. “He was very professional.”

The South Strabane Fire Department said in a post on Facebook that their crews, alongside Canton Township Fire and Rescue, Chartiers Township Fire, and Ambulance and Chair EMS, responded to the scene.

An investigation is now underway.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.