Stony Brook, NY - November 28, 2016 - Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man who was cutting a tree in Head of the Harbor today.

Erik Halvorsen, owner of Norse Tree Service in Setauket, was approximately 50 feet up in a tree when he attempted to cut the tree down in Avalon Park & Preserve, located on Harbor Road, at approximately 11:15 a.m. The tree trunk splintered and trapped Halvorsen against the tree. Halvorsen, who was wearing a safety harness, attempted to free himself and fell 20 feet. An employee was able to lower Halvorsen to the ground.

Halvorsen, 45, of Setauket, was transported by St. James Fire Department Ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.