Logging accident takes life near Buckley

A logger died in a work-related accident in the Hancock forest near Buckley the morning of Oct. 14.

A logger died in a work-related accident in the Hancock forest near Buckley the morning of Oct. 14.

Responders from East Pierce Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene at 10:21 a.m. The victim – Byron Clevenger, 55, – died on site.

The death occurred in a section of the Hancock Forest owned by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. As of noon Friday, the state Department of Labor and Industries was still determining whether the reservation location of the death would place investigation into their jurisdiction, or into that of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The responsible agency will investigate to determine who or what agency is at fault for the death, if any.

The logging project was run by Yakima-based Wyss Logging. Clevenger was an employee of subcontractor LHH Cutting, a representative of Wyss said.