Eastport man dies after tree falls on him

An elderly Eastport man died Tuesday after a tree he was cutting fell on him.

Dan Zinnikas, 83, was pronounced dead at Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry, said Boundary County Sheriff Chief Deputy Rich Stephens. It's believed Zinnikas died from massive internal injuries.

Zinnikas' death appears accidental, said county coroner Mick Mellett, whose investigation continues.

Zinnikas and a neighbor at about noon were cutting down four birch trees in the backyard of the victim's home on Timber Lane, Stephens said.

“They were able to fall three of them,” he said. “On the fourth, as he was making his cut, the wind caught it and it blew in the opposite direction they had intended it to fall. Dan, because of his age, had back ankles and wasn't able to move out of the way quick enough.”

The tree that fell on Zinnikas, was about 18 to 24 inches in diameter and about 40 feet tall.

“It was a pretty good size tree,” Stephens said. “It was full grown.”

Zinnikas did not have a telephone, so the neighbor had to go to the port of entry in Eastport to get help, Stephens said.

He did not want to identify the neighbor.

“He is very shook up about the whole thing,” Stephens said. “There's nothing criminal, just a very tragic accident.”

It also took officials awhile to find Zinnikas' next of kin. He has a daughter in South Carolina and son in New Jersey.

“He had retired and lived here alone,” Stephens said. “It looks like he was a craftsman of some sort and in the military.”