Contractor Dies After Falling From Tree At West Springfield Home

WEST SPRINGFIELD, VA — A contractor died as a result of a fall from a tree at a West Springfield home Sunday, according to Fairfax County Police.

Police responded to the 6500 block of Rivington Road around 2:24 p.m. The contractor for a tree service company was on a tree limb 40 to 45 feet off the ground cutting off tree limbs. He was standing and secured to the tree limb when the tree limb broke, causing him to fall.

Rescue personnel pronounced the contractor dead on the scene. He was identified as Mauro Cruz Cortes, 45, of Culpeper. There were no other injuries.

Major Crimes Bureau detectives believe the death was accidental and continue to investigate with the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The medical examiner is conducting an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.