Hilo man killed by falling tree while clearing lot

A 30-year-old man died Monday after a tree fell on him while he was helping to clear a vacant lot in Puna, Hawaii County police said Tuesday.

Police identified the man as Methodius Suda of Hilo.

Responding officers went to the lot on 15th Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park and learned that Suda had been helping cut down trees on a relative’s lot.

As he was cutting an Albizia tree, an ohia tree fell and hit him on the head, knocking him unconscious, police said.

The 30- to 40-foot ohia tree, about 8 to 10 inches in diameter, had already been cut and was leaning against the Albizia tree when it fell.

Fire Department personnel took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m.