Tree limb kills southwestern Indiana county councilman

VINCENNES, Ind. (AP) – A southwestern Indiana sheriff says a county councilman found dead near his rural home apparently died when a tree limb fell onto him as he was clearing brush.

Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris says Steve Thais (TAZ’) was found Wednesday evening in a wooded area about 100 yards from his home. Friends alerted police that they had been unable to reach the 57-year-old by phone for several hours.

Morris tells the Vincennes Sun-Commercial Thais was apparently clearing brush when a large limb fell from a tree, striking him in the head.

Councilman Randy Crismore called Thais’ death “a tragic, tragic loss” for his family and the community.

The Democrat ran for the Senate District 39 seat in 2006 but was defeated by Republican state Sen. John Waterman.