41 year old Lyle Lester died after falling 30 feet with the top of a tree to the ground. Lester was using spikes and was tied into the tree when it broke and took it down with him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Safety compliance officer with the state Department of Labor and Industries Rick White said that equipment was used incorrectly and caused Lester to fall. Lester was using a Port-a-Wrap to lower branches he was cutting to the ground. He was using it in combination with a block and tackle in the top of the tree to protect a drainage field in the ground. The Port-a-Wrap should have been tied to the base of the tree he was climbing, but instead the device was tied off to a nearby pickup truck. Tying the device to the truck cause too much sideways pressure on the trunk of the tree and it caused the tree to fail. White knew Lester was an experienced arborist, but was unsure if Lester knew the danger he was putting himself in.

Lester was the owner of West Coast Tree Service and was working with two unidentified ground men. He, along with his ground men, were wearing helmets, eye protection, and hearing protection. Lester was fully licensed, bonded, and registered with the state.

For more information; http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160424/news/304249978/port-angeles-arborist-dies-in-fall-with-tree-top-leaves-3-children

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160421/NEWS/160429998