A Pennsylvania tree trimmer died in “extraordinary circumstances” while working on an island in the mid-Susquehanna River, his grieving wife said.
When Shawnathan Winters, 40, founder of Magical Tree Service, was called to cut down a tree, he and his crew took on the challenge. hill island PennLive reported on December 13th.
“He was excited about the job,” his wife, Danielle Winters, told the magazine. “And he was excited to get on the boat to go there.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn't able to kiss him before he left that morning,” she told PennLive. “He shouted from the bottom of the stairs, ‘I have to go, I have to get on the boat.’ I love you, goodbye.”
Sadly, that was the last time Danielle saw her husband.
Later that morning, she received a shocking phone call from one of Shawnathan's co-workers.
“I thought he was telling me that Shawnathan was hurt,” Daniel said of the call from the crew. “But he said, 'He fell, EMS just got here.'” He said, “I tried.” I performed CPR on him for 45 minutes. ”After that, I just lost it. It's like a nightmare you can't wake up from. ”
Although Daniel was used to heights, having run a tree-trimming company for six years and previously worked on a tall radio tower, Shawnathan was struck by a small saw attached to his side. He said he had encountered an “extraordinary situation” in which the rope had to be cut. Strapped up, he fell 50 to 60 feet to the ground.
“There was nothing particularly dangerous about this tree,” she said. “He wasn't afraid of this tree. He had no worries.”
Shawnathan, who was born and raised in Georgia and had lived in Dover, Pennsylvania, for several years, was pronounced dead of blunt force trauma, Daniel added.
His untimely death was ruled an accident, PennLive reported.
The proud tree climber's last Facebook post shows his excitement to be working on the river that day.
Workout on the island today!!! Magical Tree Service 717-353-0082
Posted by Shawnathan Winters above Friday, December 13, 2024
Outside of work, he said, Shawnathan coached Dover Youth Basketball and was “very involved” in Dover Youth Football. Obituary.
He was also winning his battle with alcoholism, and his wife said he had completed a rehabilitation program and had been sober for more than five months at the time of the accident.
“His life was so much better,” Daniel said. “He was doing well and was excited to get sober. He was excited about life. He was everything anyone could want or need in life. And he is finally here.”
“He had a difficult life and was proud of the fact that he had overcome this addiction and turned his life around,” she added. “He was doing great and was really the backbone of them. Everybody respected him and his strength.”
According to his obituary, Shawnathan leaves behind two children, including Shawnathan Winters Jr., and three stepchildren.
“My three older children are hurting,” Daniel said. “They are devastated, to say the least.”
“He had such an impact on people's lives. Once you knew Shawnathan, you loved Shawnathan. This Southern guy and his accent and his passion for everything. There's something about him that made everyone love him.”
a gofundme The organization, founded to help children ages 5 to 19, raised about $23,000.
