50-foot tree falls in Kelso, narrowly avoiding homeowner

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — A 2,000-pound tree fell on John Pittman's house in Kelso, but he's counting himself lucky.

The Daily News of Longview reports that the 50-foot locust tree narrowly avoided the 55-year-old Pitman when it fell almost directly above where he was sitting on his couch Saturday morning.

The tree also missed his 19-year-old son, but it totaled his minivan and damaged the wheelchair ramp he uses to get in and out of his house.

Pittman says the falling tree was a wake-up call after Saturday's windstorm, but he will be staying in the house and using insurance to cover the roof repair.

Longview-based Champ's Tree Service was on scene by about 1 p.m. to cut the tree down and pull it off the roof.