Falling Tree Kills New Bedford Man

An outdoor chore proved to be fatal for a New Bedford man.

Police say 54-year-old Olimpio Tavares was attempting to cut down a dead tree that was over a foot in diameter in his yard at 1310 Phillips Road just before 6:30pm Saturday evening. Tavares was cutting the tree with a chainsaw while using cables to brace the tree.

As the tree was coming down, the base of the tree shot up, knocking Tavares to the ground. The tree then came crashing down on top of Tavares, crushing him.

Medical personnel and the fire department responded to the scene, where Tavares was pronounced dead.

An autopsy is scheduled for some time today.