A logging accident claimed the life of a 42-year-old BogueChitto man early Wednesday morning, officials said.

Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris said Hollis Whitley, ofFerguson Lane in Bogue Chitto, was pronounced dead on the sceneafter a tree fell on him as he was cutting timber off East LincolnRoad.

McMorris said Whitley and the other employees of FergusonLogging Company, which is owned by Whitley’s father-in-law, wereclearing timber from the property of David Roberts, of Louisiana,around 6:20 a.m. when a tree he was cutting fell on top of him.McMorris said the mishap took place deep in the woods.

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said his department willconduct a probe into Whitley’s accident. He said an investigationis routine in any case involving a workplace death.

“It’s still under investigation, but at this point it certainlyall looks to be accidental,” Rushing said. “We’re also looking intowhat are the appropriate agencies to contact so we can advise themof it.”

Whitley is survived by his wife, Dorothy Whitley. The couple hadfour children.

Williams Mortuary will handle Whitley’s local arrangements,which are incomplete.