FADETTE, Ala. (WDNews) — A 68-year-old man died Tuesday afternoon after a large limb from a mature oak tree fell on him at his home in the Fadette community of Geneva County.
According to the Geneva County Coroner’s Office, Geneva County 911 received a call at approximately 4:30 p.m. reporting that a large tree limb had fallen on a person at a residence on East County Road 4.
Slocomb EMS, the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office and an officer with the Dothan Police Department responded to the scene.
The victim was identified as Melvin T. Dixon, 68.
Officials said Dixon was walking through his yard with his young grandson when the large limb unexpectedly broke and fell, pinning him beneath it. A neighbor retrieved a jack and used it to help lift the limb while family members pulled Dixon from underneath.
Despite their immediate efforts, Dixon was pronounced dead at the scene.
The coroner’s office said the incident was a tragic accident and noted the sudden nature of what happened left family members, neighbors and first responders in shock.
The Geneva County Coroner’s Office thanked everyone who responded and assisted in the rescue effort and asked the community to keep the Dixon family in their thoughts during this difficult time.