UPDATED: Tree Farm Owner Dies in Accident

Robert D. Bushey, 72, of 14 High St., Shrewsbury, died at the tree farm he owned on High Street last night.

Bushey started the in 1978 and trees were sold starting in 1986 on the 24-acre property located between 14 and 20 High St., according to his son, Alan Bushey, co-owner of the tree farm, in an earlier interview.

At 6:09 p.m. on Tuesday, officers and responded to the tree farm where a tree had fallen on Bushey while he was clearing debris from the October storm.

Bushey had not been seen by his family since 6 or 7 that morning, according to Shrewsbury Fire Capt. Bill Cummins. Firefighters had to use a chainsaw to remove the large tree that had fallen on Bushey.

The tree farm is the only Christmas tree farm in Shrewsbury and residents in and around town enjoy the tradition of cutting down their own trees each winter. The tree farm is usually only open the one or two weekends after Thanksgiving, depending on supply.

The Worcester District Attorney's Office is still investigating the accident and the state medical examiner's office is performing the autopsy, according to Tim Connolly, spokesperson for the district attorney's office.