Police: Man dies after being struck by falling tree

ROWLEY, Mass. – A community in Rowley has been rocked by the sudden death of a beloved neighbor, killed by a falling tree.

Police say it began with the 81-year-old victim offering a helping hand to a next door neighbor who was cutting down that tree.

In what officials call a freak accident, in the front yard on Main Street, the tree toppled over and knocked the elderly man unconscious. He was pronounced dead hours later on Thursday afternoon after being taken by helicopter to a Boston hospital.

Neighbors told Boston 25 News the victim was known for always helping those around him.

“[I'm] shocked. He was a nice man he enjoyed working outside on his lawn." Scott Perry said. “Always willing to help if you need help. It's very devastating."

The neighbor being helped, identified as Brian, and the 81-year-old were close friends, according to people who knew them both.

"He always comes over and helps. They do shrubs, they do things together, they feed each other’s cats," Heather Grant said. “The family will not recoup from this, neither will Brian. It has changed him for the rest of his life."

Boston 25 News is not releasing the name of the victim because his identity has not yet been released by the medical examiner.

Several neighbors said they plan to offer their support in any way they can to the wife now left behind.

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