Emergency personnel was called to the 1500 block of Austin Street in Wichita Falls, Texas on Monday, February 3 for a rescue attempt. First responders arrived on the scene at 10:55 a.m. and found a worker who had been tree trimming hanging from the tree.
They identified the man as a 51-year-old man named Michael Bragg who had been injured while trimming a tree. He was hanging from his waist by a rope and still had on a tool belt. He was working at least 30 to 50 feet in the tree at the time of the accident.
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Initial reports indicate that it appeared Bragg suffered a head injury, but the cause was unknown. They speculate that he had been rendered unconscious because of the head injury. Bragg was dead when the first responders arrived and was officially pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
A review of OSHA’s current standards for tree care occupations reveals that an employer is responsible for ensuring that their employees are fitted with proper protective head equipment. This is in place to help protect tree care workers from the potential hazards caused by falling objects. The head protection should also reduce the risk of shock hazards by electrical components overhead.
The name of the company that Bragg works for has not been released and it is undetermined if they are liable for any part of the accident.
There was no indication in reports that Bragg was wearing any protective head equipment at the time of the accident. The Wichita Falls Fire Department was able to extract Bragg from the tree. A total of 14 units originally responded to the emergency rescue call.
Bragg’s body is being sent to Dallas for an official autopsy to determine the actual cause of death. As of this time, the accident and death are still under investigation.