Clemson student dies after accident while cleaning tree debris

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - On Saturday morning, the Anderson County Coroner’s Office reported responding to an incident after a tree crushed a young man cleaning debris.

The coroner said their office was called to the scene on McGee Road off Highway 81 North at around 8 a.m. on Saturday.

According to the coroner, the victim, 20-year-old Ethan Alexander Ackerman, was working with two friends, including the property owner. They were trying to clean up a large area of debris where several large trees had been uprooted.

The coroner said one of the trees lying on the ground suddenly sprang back to an upright position and trapped the victim under its base. Ackerman’s friends were unable to move the tree themselves.

Officials said First Responders removed the victim from under the tree, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.

The coroner said the victim suffered blunt force chest trauma resulting in traumatic asphyxiation. The manner of death has been ruled accidental.

Clemson Unversity confirmed Ackerman was one of their students.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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