Morris County Man Killed After Falling From Tree, Landing on Metal Fence, Cops Say

A Jefferson Township man was killed Thursday when he fell out of a tree and landed on a metal fence below, police said.

Officer Dave Wojtach responded to Valley Trail for a report of a man who fell from a tree, Capt. Eric Wilsusen said. Once there, Wojtach found the 30-year-old man to be impaled on a metal chain link fence post, Wilsusen said.

Police believe the victim, who has not been identified, was at least 30-feet up into the tree and standing on branches while using a chainsaw, Wilsusen said. “It appeared the victim lost his footing and fell to the ground,” a press release said, and caused the man to impale himself on a 1.5-inch upright galvanized steel fence post

The man was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of his internal injuries.

Jefferson Police were assisted by the Milton First Aid Squad, Atlantic Health System Paramedics and Atlantic Air One as well as Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1, which used the jaws of life to cut the fence post.