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Wilkes Man Dies in Logging Accident Near Elk Creek Road in Deep Gap on Thursday

By Jesse Wood

A 54-year-old logger employed by High Country Lumber Company died in a logging accident on Thursday afternoon in Deep Gap.

Bobby Joe Jarvis of 2390 Shepherds Cross Road, Traphill community in Wilkes County, “succumbed to injuries during a logging incident” at about 3:30 p.m., according to an incident report filed by Watauga County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident occurred in an open land area near 1660 Elk Creek Road in Deep Gap.

Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman said that Jarvis was allegedly on the job and that Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been contacted about what is considered to be an “industrial accident.”

Hagaman said he wasn’t 100 percent sure how Jarvis died, but said that the county’s medical examiner will review statements and pictures as part of his postmortem examination.

He also noted that OSHA and the State Industrial Commission will review their evidence and find findings.

GoBlueRidge.net reported that the immediate responders began working with those on the scene to remove a large tree that was on top of the Jarvis.

“But by the time he was pulled from under the tree, around 4 p.m., he was found to have no pulse, was not breathing, and was said to have suffered significant trauma that claimed his life,” reported GoBlueRidge.net via police scanner. “As a line of storms moved through, an ATV was used to transport the man’s body out of the woods to a waiting ambulance while a report on the death was started.”