KOOTENAI COUNTY, ID — A 55-year-old man was killed early Tuesday morning after a tree fell onto a residence in the Village of Fernan during high winds, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called around 6 a.m. on December 17 to a home in the 100 block of Theis Lane after a 911 caller reported that a tree had fallen into the residence, injuring one person and trapping others inside.
Emergency crews responded and located a deceased man inside the home. Authorities said the man was sleeping when the tree fell onto the residence and struck the bed where he was lying. His death was attributed to injuries caused by the fallen tree.
Other occupants inside the home were safely rescued and did not report serious injuries.
The incident remains under investigation by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
In a reminder to the public, the sheriff’s office said high winds can cause trees and debris to fall without warning. Residents are encouraged to stay clear of large trees during wind events, avoid sleeping near exterior walls when possible, and report hazardous conditions to local authorities. If conditions appear unsafe, residents are urged to call 911.
