NORTH OLMSTED — An Elyria man was killed in a freak accident yesterday when a large tree fell on him as he walked in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks.

Anthony Flauto, 64, was pronounced dead at Southwest General Hospital following the noontime accident.

The man was walking alone on a paved trail just north of the Lagoon Picnic Area when he was struck by the falling tree, according to Jane Christyson, director of marketing for the Cleveland Metroparks.

“The tree was about 60 feet back off the trail,” she said.

The site of the tragic accident is a little south of the Rocky River Nature Center near the intersection of Cedar Point Road and Valley Parkway, which is located inside the city of North Olmsted.

It was not immediately known whether Flauto regularly walked in the parks, Christyson said.

“We have people from Elyria and other people who drive in to walk and use the parks,” she said.

Details of just how the accident occurred aren’t yet known, but the incident is under investigation by Metroparks Rangers, Christyson said.

“The tree was very large. It appears that it broke on the trunk and fell. It was fully leafed out and appeared to be a live tree,” she said.

Flauto was found by another park patron.

“The trail is pretty close to the road. They saw it happen and immediately called 911,” Christyson said.

There was some wind in the vicinity during the day, but it isn’t known if it played a factor in the tree breaking and falling, she added, “It’s mind-boggling to think about, of being in one place at that particular time.”

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed Wednesday by the Cuyahoga County coroner’s office, according to spokesman Caesar Powell, who said no other information was yet available on the case.