PINE CREEK — A Mt. Vernon man died June 25 after being struck by the top of a large fir tree he was helping to pull as it was being cut down.

Garland Weissenfluh, 58, had been operating a come-along winch Tuesday morning to help pull down a large dead fir tree that was being cut down in the Tamarack Road area southeast of Pine Creek, according to a news release from Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley.

Weissenfluh was struck by a portion of the tree top and was transported to Blue Mountain Hospital, where he died from his injuries, McKinley reported.

Next of kin has been notified, the sheriff said.