July 2, 2024 9:30 a.m. 

An Idleyld Park man died in a tree falling accident on Monday.

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report said just after 12:00 p.m. a woman called dispatch to report that a tree had fallen on her husband during an accident on their property in the 500 block of Smith Springs Lane.

The caller said she had attempted life-saving efforts on 74-year-old Daniel Deland but advised that he was deceased. Fire and medical personnel arrived at the home and confirmed the death.

A deputy spoke to Deland’s wife who said he was attempting to fall a large tree – approximately 18 inches in diameter by 75-foot-tall maple tree – prior to the accident. The woman said she was nearby when she heard a large crash. She went to investigate and found Deland pinned beneath the tree and deceased. Deland’s wife said the tree was cracked and leaning over a foot trail on their property and Deland wanted to remove it.

The report said that after looking over the tree, it appeared that the inside of the tree was partially rotten and had split off while Deland was falling it. Staff from the Medical Examiners Office responded to the scene.