OROVILLE – An Oroville man died of injuries suffered when a tree being cut by a fellow woodcutter fell on him Friday, Sept. 12.

“At around 2:50 p.m. Okanogan County Sheriff Deputy Josh Petker and emergency personnel responded to 506 Forest Service 3525 Road in reference to a subject had a tree fall on him,” said Sheriff Frank Rogers.

When Deputy Petker arrived he found that Jerry L. Rounds, 61, of Oroville was still alive but in bad shape.

“It appears that Rounds was in the woods with another subject cutting down trees. Apparently Rounds friend was cutting the tree down and Rounds was putting a wedge in so that the tree would fall up hill,” said Sheriff Rogers. “According to Rounds’ friend, as the tree began to fall Rounds reached in and pulled the wedge out. Rounds’ dog then ran to where the tree was falling. Rounds ran for the dog and as the tree fell it missed the dog but landed on Rounds.”

Round’s friend ran to call for help and when Deputy Petker arrived, Rounds was still alive. Rounds stopped breathing so Deputy Petker began CPR until the ambulance arrived.

“When the ambulance arrived they tried to revive Rounds but were unsuccessful. Rounds died at the scene from the injuries he received,” said Rogers, adding that his family has been notified of his death.