SHELBY COUNTY — A man died Thursday night after being hit by a falling tree in Shelby County.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Deputies from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office were called to the 4300 block of Russia Versailles Road shortly before 8:30 p.m. regarding a man not breathing who had been hit by a falling tree.
When they got to the scene, someone from the Houston Fire Department told a deputy that the man, later identified as 44-year-old Ryan Jourdan, was found lying face down. When they rolled him onto his back, they were unable to find a pulse, according to a report from the sheriff’s office.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Man shot after pointing gun at Xenia police learns punishment
- Area airman killed during Operation Epic Fury laid to rest in Dayton
- Ohio middle school teacher accused of inappropriately touching students
Deputies learned that Jourdan was out cutting down trees that were affected by recent storms.
After getting worried that he hadn’t returned yet, his wife asked a neighbor to help find him.
While searching the area, the neighbor found Jourdan’s body near a large tree and immediately called 911.
Deputies reported he had been cutting down a dead standing tree.
“After cutting a wedge from one side, he began doing a cross cut and the tree slid off the stump instead of falling over,” the report states.
Jourdan appeared to have been running from the tree when he was hit by it. Deputies also noted he was not trapped underneath.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
