Toddler dies from injuries
By Terry Karkos
Staff Writer

BETHEL – A 2-year-old Bethel boy, critically injured late Friday afternoon in a freak tree-felling accident, has died.

Samuel Bennett, the only child of James and Robin Bennett of Vernon Street, was struck by a tree being cut down by his father at the family’s house lot off Chandler Hill Road.

The toddler was airlifted to Maine Medical Center for treatment and later was pronounced dead of a brain injury, Bethel Rescue Director Arlene Greenleaf said, solemnly.

“This is a very difficult time for (Jim and Robin) and Bethel Rescue. Jim has been with us for quite a while,” Greenleaf said Saturday afternoon.

In addition to being a Bethel firefighter, Jim Bennett is an emergency medical technician with Bethel Rescue and Med-Care Ambulance Service in Mexico.

Greenleaf said Bethel Rescue was trying to get a grief counselor to help the Bennetts and crew members affected by the tragedy.

“The crew will have a debriefing separate from Jim and his wife,” she added.

According to investigating officer Bethel Police Chief Darren M. Tripp, it appeared that Bennett was cutting some trees shortly before 6 p.m. and one tree got tangled up on another tree. When Bennett tried to free the tree with his truck, it turned around and landed “where you wouldn’t think it would fall,” Tripp said Friday night.

The tree struck the child’s head.

Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Greenleaf Funeral Home in Bethel. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 21, at Bethel Alliance Church.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com