Local

Tree falls on dump truck, trapping worker inside

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A dump truck driver in Volusia County narrowly escaped being crushed by a tree.

He was driving down Bellevue Avenue in Daytona Beach when the tree fell on top of his cab, trapping him inside.

Officials believe the 30 foot water oak fell because it was rotten.

The driver, 52-year-old Clarence Blair, escaped with only some neck and back pain. He was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

"The roof had been crushed down to probably eye level for this individual and he was pinned between the steering column, the roof and the door itself," said Daytona Beach Fire fire Lt. Larry Stoney.

Blair, a 20-year veteran equipment operator with the city of Daytona Beach, was stockpiling sand at the city public works yard on Bellevue Avenue.

That's when the tree fell, crushing the truck's cab.

"We were talking to him the whole time. He never lost consciousness. He did have, complained of some neck pain, some back pain," said Stoney.

A representative for the city of Daytona Beach said a safety officer is looking into the incident.

Officials said an arborist will be looking at all of the trees at the city facilities to see if any more are rotten.