Hunter killed by falling tree in northeast Oregon

HEPPNER, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say a Hillsboro man died after a tree fell on him while he was hunting in a heavily wooded area in northeast Oregon near Heppner.
 
The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office says authorities responded to a call shortly after 11 a.m. Friday morning reporting that a tree had fallen on a 34-year-old man and that he was unresponsive and not breathing.
 
The caller says they hiked up a ridge to get cellphone service to make the call.
 
The sheriff’s office says before authorities arrived, the person had called again to say the man had died.
 
Authorities from several agencies responded to assist in the area with downed trees and a couple of inches of snow.
 
The man’s name was withheld, pending notification of family. No further information was immediately released.

However, the sheriff’s office said in a news release the man “was in our area to hunt and enjoy the mountains and the camaraderie of his friends. The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends for the loss of their loved ones.”