A tragic accident occurred Wednesday afternoon in Pine Township involving a man being fatally injured by a fallen tree on Furnessville Road. The victim, identified as being of Hispanic descent, died at the scene. The Porter County Coroner’s Office is working with the Porter County Sheriff’s Office to confirm his identity. Typically, authorities wait to notify family members before releasing a victim’s name to the public.

Authorities received a call at 1:55 p.m. to the 200 block of Furnessville Road. Upon arrival, an officer spoke to a witness who said three men had approached him seeking help. When the witness arrived at the scene, he discovered the victim’s head pinned beneath the tree, according to police reports.

The four individuals attempted to lift the tree without success. One of the men tried to use a chainsaw to free the victim, but was unable to cut the tree. Before emergency services could arrive, the three men left the scene, per the sheriff’s report.