Riggins man dies after tree falls on him in Idaho County

Local authorities responded to a call of an unconscious man being transported to Riggins, where he later died.
Author: KTVB Staff
Updated: 12:24 PM MDT March 26, 2024

RIGGINS, Idaho — Just before 1 a.m. on March 20, Idaho County Dispatch received a call regarding a 28-year-old man who was hit by a tree while cutting firewood, according to a news release from Idaho County Sheriff’s Office.

The call they received informed dispatch that there was an unconscious man with a pulse being driven to Riggins.

The man, Tyrel Walker, of Riggins, was up on the Big Salmon in the Allison Creek area when the incident happened, and was transported to Riggins to meet the ambulance. The ambulance met the man and his colleagues on Main Street in Riggins, and Life Flight was dispatched, while Riggins Ambulance performed life saving measures.

At roughly 1:11 a.m. Riggins Ambulance informed dispatch that life saving measures would be stopped, and Life Flight was canceled.

Idaho County Deputies and Idaho County Coroner responded, and investigated the situation later that day. The incident happened six miles up French Creek Road. It appeared to investigators that Walker had chopped down a tree, then was hit by another tree, striking him in the head.

Officials say Walker’s injuries were consistent with that of someone being hit by a tree.