A 27-year-old man died while removing a tree at the rear of a property in Centenary Street, East Albury, on Wednesday morning.

The man was flung into a pool fence about 9.10am after the tree snapped, and hit the ground. 

A nearby resident had been speaking to the man – who was working with two others – only moments before the incident.

The retired soldier jumped a fence and performed CPR but was unable to save the arborist.

“I just feel so sorry for his wife and children,” the witness said.

“It’s just devastating that you go to work and don’t come home.

“That’s what’s devastated me the most.

“His children don’t have a father and she doesn’t have a husband.

“Sympathies to his family.”

The property has been under renovation for several months.

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The witness said the arborists had almost finished when the tree split in an unlikely area and flung the 27-year-old.

“The bloke said ‘there’s only three cuts to go and we’re out of here’,” the man said.

“To me he looked like he was just happy doing his job, next minute it all went to s---.”

He said the late man’s colleagues had gone into shock.

“It was instinct as a soldier, you just know what to do,” he said of performing CPR.

“(His colleagues) were trying their best.

“It was horrible.”

The matter is being investigated by police and the workplace authority, and will be examined by the state coroner.

“SafeWork’s enquiries are ongoing,” a spokeswoman said.

Another nearby resident said the incident had “left an eerie feeling in the street”.

The property is being renovated but work has been put on hold at the site following the death.

The tree and ropes are still in the back yard of the home. 

The witness said he believed the man worked for a local company and had lived at Kiewa with his partner and two children. 

A spokesman said police had been alerted to the incident about 9.10am. 

“A 27-year-old male working for a tree lopping company was attempting to clear a tree from the rear yard of the premises,” the spokesman said. 

“Unfortunately during that process the man has fallen and struck the ground. 

“He was taken to Albury Base Hospital but could not be revived.” 

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