Yahoo Lifestyle College Student, 20, Dies in Freak Accident After Fallen Tree 'Sprang Back to an Upright Position' and Crushed Him
Ethan Ackerman, a junior at Clemson University, was described as the "rock" of his family in an obituary
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Ethan Ackerman.A college student has died following a freak accident involving a tree in South Carolina.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, Ethan Ackerman was killed after he was trapped by a fallen tree while "cleaning a large area of debris where several large trees had fallen after being uprooted," the Anderson County Office of the Coroner said in a news release shared with PEOPLE.
According to the coroner's office, the incident occurred "when one of the trees that was laying on the ground suddenly sprung back to an upright position and trapped the victim under the base of the tree."
Ackerman, 20, was working with two friends, including one whom the coroner's office said was the "property owner." Both friends were "unable to move the large tree base off the victim," they added.
The news release stated that Ackerman "sustained blunt force chest trauma resulting in traumatic asphyxiation and the manner of death has been classified as accidental."
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Ackerman was a junior at Clemson University, where he was pursuing a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology with a minor in Forestry, per an online obituary from the Robinson Funeral Home.
"Ethan's calling was the outdoors, and everything associated with it. Hunting, fishing and working the land was Ethan's love," the obituary said, adding: "Ethan was the rock of our family. His broad shoulders and massive strength allowed him to support whoever needed his embrace."
Ackerman leaves behind his parents, siblings and various other family members — including aunts, uncles and cousins — as well as his dog Wesson.
The college student's family, who has a GoFundMe page set up to help them amid their loss, said memorials can be made to the Cooper River Forum and the Overflow Foundation in lieu of flowers.
The Anderson County Office of the Coroner said the investigation into Ackerman's death remains ongoing.
Read the original article on People
