DAHLONEGA — A Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation worker from Cumming was killed Wednesday afternoon while cutting down a tree in Lumpkin County, officials said.

According to Ronald Fortner, Lumpkin’s coroner, 27-year-old Brian Johnson was struck by the tree about 3 p.m. as he and other members of a utility crew cleared right of way off Ga. 400 and Whelchel Road.

The site was visible from the highway, said Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Lt. Wesley Burnett, and just inside the southwest county line with Dawson, which sits between Lumpkin and Forsyth.

Burnett said the incident was a “very unfortunate accident.”

Blake House, vice president of member services for Cumming-based Sawnee EMC, said Thursday was “a pretty somber day.”

“Mr. Johnson sustained severe injuries from the accident and was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency response personnel,” House said. “The entire Sawnee EMC family is deeply saddened by this tragedy. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this young man.”