Anderson, South Carolina – A tragic incident occurred over the weekend when a 20-year-old Clemson University student died in a freak accident involving a fallen tree. Ethan Alexander Ackerman was reportedly cleaning up debris in an area where several large trees had already fallen. On Saturday morning, while he was with two friends, one of the trees suddenly sprang back to an upright position, trapping Ackerman beneath its base.
Efforts made by Ackerman’s friends to rescue him were unsuccessful, as they were unable to lift the heavy tree off him. First responders arrived at the scene and managed to extricate Ackerman, but he sadly succumbed to his injuries shortly after, with officials pronouncing him dead on-site. The Anderson County Coroner confirmed that Ackerman suffered from blunt force chest trauma, leading to traumatic asphyxiation, and the incident has been categorized as accidental.
In a statement, Clemson University confirmed that Ackerman was a junior studying wildlife and fisheries biology with a minor in forestry and was well-liked by his peers. The university expressed deep sorrow over his passing, highlighting that he was a valuable member of the school community. “We were heartbroken to learn the news of Ethan’s passing,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Hallenbeck.
Ackerman was also known for his love of wildlife and the outdoors, along with his dreams of pursuing a career in land management. He played as an offensive lineman on championship-winning football teams during his time at Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina.
In the wake of this tragic event, a GoFundMe page has been established to assist Ackerman’s family with funeral expenses. Posts on the page describe him as the “Rock of their family,” emphasizing the loss felt by those who knew him. As investigations into the incident continue, the community mourns the young man’s untimely death.
