Tree Falls, Kills Westmoreland County Man

A fatal tree-cutting mishap in Westmoreland County is being called an accident.

The coroner said James Kiebler was cutting a partially fallen tree along Pine Run Road on Saturday evening in Washington Township when the tree fell back and slammed him to the ground.

The coroner said Kiebler died of asphyxiation.

Rescue crews had to drive all-terrain vehicles and a pickup truck along a narrow dirt path to get to the accident site.

Firefighters said Kiebler was well-respected in the community. He was the owner of JK Tool and Die Design, Inc., in Avonmore.