Tree Trimmer Killed By Falling Branch

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- An Okolona man died Wednesday from injuries he sustained when he was hit in the head by a large tree branch while working for a tree company, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s office.

Timothy Michael Cotner, 35, worked for the United Parcel Service, according to his obituary. Cotner also had a part-time job working for a tree company, said Larry Carroll, a Jefferson County deputy coroner. Carroll was not able to provide the name of the company because it was a day off and the file was in his office.

At some point Tuesday or early Wednesday, Cotner was working to cut tree debris with a chainsaw on the ground while another worker was up in a tree near him, Carroll said.

According to witnesses, the worker in the tree yelled down to Cotner that a large branch was falling, but Cotner did not hear, Carroll said. Cotner was struck in the head by the branch.

Cotner was transported to University Hospital, where he died early Wednesday afternoon from blunt force trauma to his head.