FRANKLIN CO., Ill.—A man from Clay City was the victim of a logging accident outside of Benton this morning.
Franklin County authorities have confirmed that the accident, which occurred at about 9:30 a.m. this morning (Thursday, July 10, 2014) at an area east of Benton called the Steel City Mine bottoms (Steel City being a former mining community years ago), took the life of Anthony Tolliver, 41, of Clay City.
Authorities have stated that Tolliver was running a chainsaw to cut the top out of a downed tree when for unknown reasons, a tree behind him uprooted, falling on him from behind and causing crushing injuries to his head and chest.
Franklin County’s coroner, Marty Leffler, has said determined that it was a freak accident, and has told authorities that thus far there doesn’t appear to be any fault in Tolliver’s death.
The company Tolliver was working for, R L Wells Logging from Clay City, had been in the Steel City area for about the last 3-4 weeks.
Funeral arrangements for Tolliver are being made at Frank and Bright Funeral Home of Flora.