A Florida tree trimmer lost his life in a devastating accident after being pulled into a wood chipper while working outside the Ocean Ridge Town Hall. The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. on January 28, 2025, when the crew had just started their work for the day.
The unimaginable occurred while the employee, who worked for Carlton’s Tree Service, was pruning trees close to the police station. His coworkers witnessed the collision and hurried to assist right away, but it was too late, according to municipal officials.
First Responders and Investigation
Emergency services arrived quickly, but there was nothing they could do. Ocean Ridge officials immediately contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to investigate the accident. The cause of the incident is still being determined.
Shock and Grief in the Community
Ocean Ridge Town Manager Lynne Ladner called the accident a “horrible loss of life” and said grief counseling is being offered to both the victim’s coworkers and town employees who witnessed the tragedy. “This is an incredibly rare incident. We haven’t seen anything like this in at least 10 to 15 years,” she said.
Residents and colleagues have been left shaken, struggling to process what happened. Many in the small community are rallying to support the victim’s family and coworkers during this heartbreaking time.
