Fatal logging incident in Iowa County

WYOMING TOWNSHIP, Wis (WRCO / WRCE) – The Iowa County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal incident.

The incident occurred Wednesday, May 14, at approximately 9:20 a.m. The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office received a request for a welfare check at a residence on Weaver Road in the town of Wyoming. The caller reported that Keith J. Symon, a 79-year-old white male, had not returned after venturing out the previous day to cut logs using his tractor and chainsaws.

Deputies from the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office responded alongside Dodgeville EMS, Dodgeville Fire Department, Iowa County Technical Rescue Team, Iowa County Emergency Management, and Iowa County Drone Team. A coordinated and extensive search was conducted over the 75 to 80-acre property. Symon’s tractor was located shortly after 11:00 a.m. and he was found deceased nearby, at which point the Iowa County Coroner’s Office also responded.

The investigation determined that Symon had gotten his small tractor stuck and attempted to recover it by winching it to a nearby tree. During the recovery effort, the tree gave way and collapsed, resulting in injuries that led to Keith Symon’s death.

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