Tree Trimmer Pulled Into Wood Chipper Dies In South FL: Reports

OCEAN RIDGE, FL — A South Florida tree trimmer was killed Tuesday after he was pulled head-first into a wood chipper while on duty, Ocean Ridge Town Manager Lynne Ladner told media.

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday on property belonging to Ocean Ridge Town Hall and Police Department, CBS12 reported.

At the time of the accident, the man was attempting to put an item into the chipper when he was pulled into it, WPTV reported.

Ladner told CBS12 that the man, who was in the chipper up to his shoulders, was decapitated.

"The individual was working by themself doing tree trimming and feeding a wood chipper," Ladner said in a WPTV report. "Other members of the crew saw it happening is my understanding and immediately began responding as did our staff and officers."

The man's name was not released pending notification to his family in Mexico, reports say.

"It's horrible," resident Monique Hummel told CBS12. "We just heard what happened and it's horrible. I feel for the family, for the gentleman. And angry. Angry if this could've been avoided."

Ocean Ridge Police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the accident, reports say.