News

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has launched a death investigation after a logging accident killed a 70-year-old man on a rural property near Orick yesterday.

According to a press release, two pieces of logging equipment collided, injuring the John Henry Sims Jr., of Crescent City, who died at the scene. Cal OSHA is also investigating the incident, according to the release.

For more information, see the full press release copied below:

Industrial logging accident death investigation

On August 27, 2020, at about 10:36 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a rural property in the area of Johnson Road and Bald Hills Road near Orick for the report of an industrial logging accident with one injured.

According to witnesses on scene, two pieces of logging equipment reportedly collided injuring a 70-year-old man. Lifesaving efforts were performed on the man, however, he succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased shortly after.

The deceased has been identified as John Henry Sims Jr. of Crescent City. An autopsy of Sims will be scheduled for next week.

This case is under investigation by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and CAL OSHA.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Sims. We would also like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and response to this incident: CAL FIRE, Arcata-Mad River Ambulance and REACH Air Medical Services.