Man killed in logging mishap

SANDPOINT — A man was killed Tuesday in an apparent logging accident north of Kootenai.

The man’s identity was not released, although Bonner County officials described him as a local resident who was working with logging crew that was clearing trees.

The accident was reported shortly before 10 a.m. on land being developed in the Spear Valley area north of Forest Siding Road.

The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident, although details about its circumstances were scarce on Tuesday.

Preliminary reports indicated that there were no witnesses to the mishap. Sheriff Daryl Wheeler said the man was working with a crew on the site, but was alone when he was fatally injured.

“He was working by himself,” said Wheeler, adding that it appeared the man was killed by a falling branch.

Coworkers discovered the man down when they returned to the area he was working in a short time later, Wheeler said.

Bonner County EMS Chief Robert Wakeley said the man appeared to have suffered a fatal injury to the head even though he was wearing a helmet.

“He died at the scene,” Wakeley said.