94-year-old hunter dies after his homemade tree stand collapses, Indiana officials say

A 94-year-old man died after his homemade tree stand collapsed as he was hunting, Indiana officials say.

Donald Cass was not wearing a full-body safety harness when he fell from the elevated tree stand on Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Scott County, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

He was discovered by a fellow hunter, officials say.

Cass was flown to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died, the news release states. Cass was from Scottsburg, about 30 miles north of Louisville.

It’s unclear why the tree stand collapsed.

“Conservation Officers remind hunters using elevated platforms to always wear a full body harness, use a tree stand’s safety rope, never try to put up or remove a tree stand by themself, and to always inspect their tree stand before climbing up into it,” the Department of Natural Resources said.