A landscape gardener died after being hit by a falling tree trunk in Aberdeenshire. Andrew Pirie died at the scene in Dunnottar, Stonehaven, following the accident on June 25, 2020. The 53-year-old was struck and killed while within the “drop zone” near the base of the mature ash tree as it was being taken down by a tree surgeon. Around two hours into the tree being taken down, a section of the trunk cut by Mr Menhinick fell to the ground while Mr Pirie was within the drop zone, striking him on the head and torso. He concluded that the evidence “points to the conclusion that the work by Mr Menhinick was not carried out safely”.