CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The man killed in Jefferson County during Saturday afternoon’s storms in the Eastern Panhandle has been identified.
Jefferson County Sheriff Chief Deputy Victor Lupis confirmed the individual killed when a tree fell on a golf cart at Locust Hill Golf Course in Charles Town has been identified as Tyler Sigler, 28, of Charles Town. Despite life-saving efforts on scene, Sigler was transported to Jefferson Medical Center and pronounced dead.
Lupis says Sigler and another young man identified as Tyler Browning, 29, of Harpers Ferry were sitting in their golf cart when a severe storm wind blew a large tree directly onto their golf cart. “Multiple witnesses, which were friends and a family member of these golfers, witnessed the tree fall on these two young men and contacted 911 while providing assistance to them,” according to Chief Deputy Lupis.
The other golfer, Tyler Browning, was transported to the Winchester Medical Center, where he remained as of Monday with very serious injuries.
Crews were dispatched to the area between the 11th and 12th holes just before 5 p.m. About 35 minutes prior to the incident, a severe thunderstorm warning had been issued for the area, parts of which saw heavy wind gusts and hail as well as torrential rain.
The investigating officer Corporal Charles Ellis believes the incident occurred as the result of a strong gust of wind and not lightning.
A statement from the Sheriff’s Office provided to the Panhandle News Network said, “A lot of us at the Sheriff’s Office have known this family for many years as they are wonderful people to be around. Our hearts break for Tyler’s parents, Ronnie and Elizabeth Sigler, his sister, and all of his family. This was an extremely rough and emotional scene for all of the first responders and their efforts are to be commended as most of the first responders knew Tyler Sigler. Tyler Sigler was well known and well liked in the community of Jefferson County. He had an infectious smile and cared deeply about being a great son, brother, family member, coach and friend. Tyler had many passions which included hunting with his family, golfing, caring for horses, and coaching the local youth in wrestling. Growing up, Tyler Sigler was a great wrestler both in his youth days, high school, and collegiately.”
The statement goes on to say, “Jefferson County has lost an amazing human being and there are no words at the moment that can take the pain away from the Sigler family.”
“The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and all first responders offer their condolences to the Sigler family. I can’t stress enough how wonderful of a human being Tyler Sigler was and how blessed we were to have him in our community. Our hearts truly hurt for the Sigler family as no parents should ever have to go through this.”
JCSD expressed its “heart-felt thoughts and prayers to Tyler Browning and his family as he recovers from his serious injuries and we pray that he can recover from this tragic accident.”
