EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) An eastern Kansas man has died after being hit by a tree branch while putting out a small fire caused by lightning.
Radio station KVOE reports the accident happened in rural Emporia around 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope says 49-year-old Gary Fuller and 86-year-old Kenny Fuller were both hit by a large branch that fell from about 30 feet up. Gary Fuller suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at Newman Regional Hospital.
The sheriff says lightning had set fire to grass around the tree. The men were pouring water on the grass when a gust of wind sent the branch crashing down.
