Crosslake Man Dies After Tree Cutting Accident

A Crosslake man died Friday after cutting down a tree outside his home.

The Crosslake Police Department responded at around 12:00 p.m. to an injury report related to a tree cutting accident.

Paramedics pronounced Richard Becker, 76, dead at around 12:56 p.m. His wife, Phyllis Becker, 76, called 911 after finding her husband lying unresponsive next to the tree he cut down.

Upon arrival, a police officer found neighbor Joshua Steuernagel performing CPR on the victim. The officer continued CPR until Crosslake First Responders and North Ambulance arrived and continued CPR.

The only visible injuries on Richard Becker were contusions to his head and stomach area, as well as a broken ankle. There were no indications he was cut by the chainsaw he had been using. There was no debris on top of him.

There had been a wedge cut out of the tree to make it fall in a certain direction, but it appeared the tree fell in the opposite intended direction.

There were no witnesses. Richard Becker was transported for an autopsy to determine exact cause of death.

Phyllis Becker said she had been in the house and could hear the chainsaw running, followed by the sound of a tree falling. She said she heard the chainsaw idling for an extended period of time so she went out to check on her husband. She found him lying unresponsive next to the tree and flagged down Steuernagel for help as she called 911.