Tyler Bryan is pictured here with his fiancee, Sadie Firth, in this undated photo provided by friends. He was killed Monday while logging near Morton.
Left Behind: Tyler Bryan’s Fiancee to Give Birth to Couple’s Child in April
By Stephanie Schendel
sschendel@chronline.com
The 21-year-old Winlock man who died in a logging accident Monday afternoon near Morton was engaged and a soon-to-be father.
Tyler Bryan, who grew up in Toledo but recently moved to Winlock, was working at a logging site on the 1100 block of state Route 7 when he was struck by a tree at about noon, according to the sheriff’s office. Coworkers and responding medics attempted CPR for nearly 45 minutes but Bryan died at the scene. The Department of Labor and Industries is investigating the incident.
Bryan was engaged to Sadie Firth, who was pregnant with their first son, Coen.
“Tyler was and always will be the reason for the smile on my face, and I’m grateful enough to be carrying his son,” Firth said. “(He was) such a genuine man and so loving. Tyler and our soon-to-be born son Coen are the best things to ever happen to me and I'm so blessed to have been a part of his life.”
Firth said she met Bryan about two years ago, and the baby is due in the beginning of April.
Friends of Bryan have started a fundraiser at two different websites — GoFundMe and YouCaring — to raise money for funeral costs and to help his fiancee and baby.
Friends of Bryan said he adored Firth, and was excited to become a father.
David Brosius, who said he’s known Bryan for about 10 years and described him as being “like a brother,” started one of the fundraisers to help support Bryan’s family.
“He treated his lady like she was the only person on this world,” Brosius said.
Bryan attended Toledo High School before becoming a logger, his friend said, adding that the 21-year-old always wanted to work in the logging industry.
“He loved the woods,” Brosius said. “He loved everything about the woods.”
Bryan was known as a friend to all, and could cheer up anyone, he said.
“He is one of those people that if you had the most horrible day ever, he could put a smile on your face,” Brosius said. “He had so much love and life and was always so happy and joyful. It was hard to be depressed or mad around him.”
The money raised by both fundraisers will go to Bryan’s family. Those interested in donating can visit http://www.gofundme.com/6t026g or http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/lived-everyday-like-it-was-an-8-second-ride/137426.
A memorial fund has also been set up in Bryan’s name at Timberland Bank. Donations can be made at any Timberland Bank branch. The check can be made out to either Tyler Bryan Memorial Fund or Timberland Bank.
“He lived everyday like it was an eight-second ride,” Brosius said. “He lived everyday to the fullest.”
By Wednesday afternoon, the two fundraisers had collectively raised nearly $11,000.
Deputy Coroner Dawn Harris said an autopsy on the 21-year-old occurred yesterday and his death was ruled an accident. He died to multiple internal injuries and blunt-force trauma to his head and chest.
Sgt. Rob Snaza said while deputies responded to the site shortly after the Bryan was hit by the tree, he said the sheriff’s office does not know the circumstances of accident, adding that it will be investigated by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
Bryan was employed by Brindle Technical Logging, said Barbara Davis, spokeswoman for Labor and Industries. The company is based out of Mossyrock.
Davis said the department opened an investigation Tuesday, and declined to release information about the incident.
“As long as the investigation is underway, I can’t say anything other than the fact we are investigating,” Davis said.
