Power worker killed by falling tree

HOUSTON -- A utility worker clearing Hurricane Ike-downed lines to help restore electricity in Montgomery County died when he was crushed by a falling tree.

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The Montgomery County sheriff's office says Manuel Ramirez of Madisonville died Wednesday.

Ramirez was a contract worker for Mid South Synergy, which is working to restore service to about 6,000 Montgomery County customers who lost power after Ike.

Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Lanny Moriarty said a co-worker was unable to remove the tree after it fell on Ramirez. The co-worker called 911.

Moriarty told The Courier of Conroe that that tree was so big, "you couldn't reach around it."

Montgomery County is north of Houston.

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