Enfield Man Dies After Fall From Deer Hunting Tree Stand
Edward “Eddie” Luongo, 58, tragically passed away after falling approximately 25 feet from a tree stand while hunting deer with a crossbow in Enfield on Tuesday evening.
According to police reports, Luongo was descending from a fixed platform attached to an oak tree using metal pegs when he slipped or lost his grip. Notably, he was not wearing a safety harness, a precaution he typically took according to his friend and hunting companion, Billy Stratton.
Emergency Response and Final Moments
Shortly after the fall at 7:03 p.m., Luongo was able to call Stratton from the base of the tree, reporting paralysis and a broken back. Despite the severity of his injuries, he remained conscious and communicated his location to prompt emergency assistance.
Stratton, noticing the urgency in Luongo’s voice during the call, immediately traveled from Windsor Locks to Enfield. With the assistance of GPS coordinates provided through a Rapid SOS system, first responders located Luongo about 300 yards into private property along Weymouth Road.
Responders heard Luongo’s cries for help and found the crossbow carefully lowered beside him, unbroken. After a brief, emotional exchange in which Stratton expressed his love, Luongo lost consciousness and ceased breathing. CPR was administered on-site before he was transported from the woods via an all-terrain utility vehicle, but he later died from his injuries.
Safety and Wildlife Context
Tree stand falls are a leading cause of serious injury and death among deer hunters, emphasizing the critical nature of proper safety equipment and protocols. In this case, the lack of a harness was a pivotal factor that exacerbated the consequences of Luongo’s fall.
From a wildlife perspective, hunting activity in oak-dominated woodlands is common during deer season due to acorns serving as a key food source for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Deer often frequent these areas in autumn when energy demands increase for fattening before winter.
Using elevated tree stands provides hunters with a strategic vantage point, minimizing scent detection by deer who have acute sensory capabilities, particularly their sense of smell and hearing. However, the inherent risks of climbing into these elevated positions underscore the need for rigorous safety adherence.
Community Impact
Luongo was known to his friends and family as an avid hunter and devoted family man. His passing is a sobering reminder of the hazards present in even the most familiar outdoor activities.
- Fall occurred on private property along Weymouth Road in Enfield.
- Luongo’s accident happened on the evening of Tuesday, reportedly around 7:03 p.m.
- Emergency responders utilized Rapid SOS and GPS to locate him in a wooded area 300 yards from the road.
- Despite timely medical intervention, Luongo succumbed to his injuries on scene.
Wildlife safety experts continue to emphasize the importance of wearing full-body harnesses and maintaining multiple points of contact when accessing tree stands to prevent similar tragedies.
Additional reporting and sources from: Enfield man who died in fall from tree stand loved ‘hunting, family’
