RIP Steve Courson

[Go Cavs!]

Former Steelers lineman died of a tree accident.  :'(

[SexySagittarian]

What the heck is a tree acident? ???

[pogohatesme]

oh oh oh one time...while watching on of the ER shows on The Learning Channel there was a guy on there that fell off a ladder and onto a mini sized tree and had it impailed about 8 inchs up his butthole....i'm not kidding....they had to use a saw to cut the outside part off and then do surgery to get it out.....very scary.....but what a story to tell the grandkids......i think that might be considered a tree accident.

[pogohatesme]

and on a more serious note.....from espn.com

"Courson, 50, was using a chain saw to cut down a dead 44-foot tall tree with a circumference of 5 feet when it fell on him, according to state police. The accident happened around 1 p.m. at his home in Henry Clay Township, Fayette County.

Roger Victor, an investigator for the Fayette County coroner, said Courson was apparently trying get his dog out of the tree's way. "The wind was blowing, the tree snapped and it fell on him and his dog," Victor said. The dog was injured and taken to a vet."

[SexySagittarian]

wow, that's awful! :(

[nanners]

R.I.P Steve.. :(

[foxx]

The Steelers Nation is in mourning for you Steve...RIP.

We'll take care of those Cleve Brownies for you on Sunday..... O0

[flgal]

rip steve

[crankycook]

This is taken from my local, i live in Fayette county, and heard the call come over the scanner.



Former Steelers lineman killed in accident
By Josh Krysak, Herald-Standard
11/11/2005
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers? offensive lineman Steven P. Courson, shown above in a Herald-Standard file photo, was killed by a falling tree near his Farmington home Thursday afternoon.   
HENRY CLAY TWP. - A former Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive lineman died tragically Thursday while saving his dog from a falling tree he was cutting down on his mountain property.


Fayette County Deputy Coroner Marisa Riffle pronounced Steven P. Courson, 50, of Farmington dead in a wooded area near his Herb Hollow home at 2:20 p.m.

Courson, most recognized as a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, was also a familiar face in the Fayette County Community, lending his time to area charities and schools to talk about healthy living and his opposition to steroid use.

Late Thursday, Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip Reilly concluded Courson died from blunt force trauma to the chest and compression to the chest as a result of the tree.

According to Fayette County Coroner investigator Roger Victor, Courson had been cutting a tree down in the woods behind his home with a chainsaw when the 44-foot-tall standing dead oak began to fall around 12:15 p.m.

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Victor said investigators believe that once the tree began to fall, Courson's dog, Rufus, ran under the path of the massive tree and Courson attempted to save the Labrador.

The 5-foot circumference tree then struck Courson across the back pushing him to the ground with the black lab still trapped under his legs, Marclay officials said.

Investigators said a neighbor heard the tree fall and came to check on Courson, found him under the tree and called 911. State police said Courson's death is being classified as an accident.

"He was cutting the tree down when the dog got in the road and he just went to save him," Victor said. "He was worried about his dog getting in the way and he had made some cuts on it but went to move him out of the way and the tree fell."

Victor said Courson lives alone and was cutting the tree down by himself in windy conditions, but added that even if someone had been with him, that he probably died within seconds of the impact.

"With the compression of the chest like that, it would only be a matter of seconds," Victor said. "He didn't suffer."

Marclay Ambulance officials were on the scene at 12:38 and found the dog lying under Courson's legs, alive, but with serious injuries to his hips.

Dr. Don Tummons, veterinarian at Duck Hollow Animal Hospital, said Thursday afternoon that Rufus was in stable condition with hip displacement and was being treated for shock. He said there are no indications of internal bleeding.

Courson has another lab, Rachel, which was not in the area when the tree fell.

Madeline Sloboda, director of operations at the Fayette County Community Action Agency, where Courson worked, said Courson's dog was his "best friend."

He often spoke to groups about finding an activity that was enjoyable and parlaying that into exercise. For Courson, working outdoors and walking his dog were those activities, Sloboda said.

"I can always remember him saying, do (activities) that you like to do. Don't set yourself up to fail," Sloboda said.

The tree was only about 200 yards from Courson's quaint two-story log-sided cabin and was just one of many the ex-Steeler had been cutting and storing for firewood.

Courson, an avid bow hunter and exercise enthusiast, was only 25 feet from his tree stand at the time of the accident.

Courson, in addition to his charitable work and his history as a Super Bowl champion was also well known in the community after volunteering as a local high school football coach, his outspoken views on the dangers steroid use and his love for his two black Labradors.

He played on the famed 1970s Steelers teams, anchoring the offensive line during the glory years and has been a candid opponent of steroid use after admitting he used the enhancers and suffered with the medical consequences.

Courson even testified before the U.S. Congress last year with current NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue about steroid usage in the sport.

Courson, who was born in Gettysburg, lived alone and is survived by his mother in Lancaster County and his brother who lives in Massachusetts.

In addition to the coroner's office, emergency personnel from Marclay Ambulance, Markleysburg Volunteer Fire Department and the state police responded to the scene.



©The Herald Standard 2005