Borough man dies after fall from tree

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MIDDLEBURY — A Naugatuck man died Sunday after he fell from a tree while cleaning up from Superstorm Sandy.

Michael J. Pranulis, 53, of 36 Winthrop Ave., was up in a pine tree at 400 Charcoal Ave., and was trying to cut it when he fell more than 40 feet to the ground, police said.

Pranulis suffered head trauma and multiple fractures from the fall, reported at 10:31 a.m., police said. He later died.

According to police, Pranulis was up in the tree and was cutting when something went wrong and he became entangled in the branches.

As the tree toppled, Pranulis fell more than 40 feet to the ground, police said.

Middlebury fighters and paramedics from Campion Ambulance tended to Pranulis on the scene. He was taken by ambulance to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, where he died.

The tree work was part of clean up from Superstorm Sandy, which hit the area early last week. Pranulis worked for K Landscaping, according to police.

Middlebury police are investigating the accident, but the department is expected to notify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.