Irene-Related Accident Claims First Victim in Middlebury [UPDATE]

Edwin Atchison, 64, of Jensen Drive in Middlebury, died this morning of injuries from a Sunday, Sept. 18, tree accident that occurred on Park Road Extension, according to Middlebury Police Lt. Richard A. Wildman.

Atchison was cutting a tree damaged by Tropical Storm Irene when a branch from another tree got tangled up in the falling tree.

That branch, about six inches in diameter, fell and struck Atchison in the head, Lt. Wildman reported.

He said Atchison was being assisted by his brother Richard Atchison, also of Middlebury, who was not injured. Atchison was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, according to police.

Update: Lt. J. Paul Vance, public information officer with the state police, said in the state during the peak time period of Tropical Storm Irene.