Sweet Springs man dies in wood cutting accident

A Sweet Springs man suffered an accidental death while cutting wood Monday, Nov. 2, said Saline County Coroner William Harlow.

William Franklin "Bill" Bellamy, 76, left his home at 9:30 a.m. Monday, and a family member became concerned when he did not return at his usual time, according to Harlow's report. When the family member located Bellamy, he was found lying on the ground, unresponsive and not breathing. Sweet Springs EMS personnel were contacted, and when they arrived on the scene, they announced that Bellamy was dead.

Harlow said his investigation, assisted by Saline County Sheriff's deputies and Sweet Springs EMS, showed that Bellamy had been working to fell a tree, and when he did so, the tree hit Bellamy, "causing an instant death" due to massive chest and abdominal trauma.

At the request of his next-of-kin, Bellamy was transported to Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net