Motorcycle crashes into felled tree on state Route 12 about halfway between Boulder in Garfield County and Torrey in Wayne County, Utah, Oct. 11, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

BOULDER – A motorcycle rider from outside of Utah died after crashing into a falling tree on state Route 12 about halfway between Boulder in Garfield County and Torrey in Wayne County Saturday.

The man was traveling north on state Route 12 around 12:40 p.m. when he crashed into a falling tree,Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Joe Dougherty said in a released statement. The tree had been felled by a group of Boy Scouts with a permit for cutting down trees for firewood.

It appears to investigators that this was a case of unfortunate timing, Dougherty said in the statement.

The man was wearing a helmet, Dougherty said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Identification is being withheld pending notification to the man’s family.

UPDATE Oct. 12, 11:27 a.m:

It appears the tree was falling when it hit the man on the motorcycle, Dougherty said in a telephone interview Sunday, and the man was confirmed dead by a doctor who was with the Boy Scouts.

As far as issues concerning legalities as to whether the Boy Scouts were too close to the road or whether they needed to set up cones or flares as warning devices for passing motorists, that will be determined by the Garfield County Attorney, Dougherty said.

Ed. note: This is a developing story. This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

SEE followup story here: UHP releases name of man killed in motorcycle-falling tree incident

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