Penza, 9 June 2014. PenzaNews. Investigative bodies of Investigative Committee of Russia in the Penza region are investigating the circumstances of the death of a 63-year-old resident of Kuznetsky area.

“It was pre-established that on April 15, 2014, two villagers went to the forest for birch sap. They took plastic bottles and an ax. While birch sap was leaking into the container, the men drank alcohol, and then began to compete in throwing ax. The ax bounced off the trunk and hit the 63-year-old man in the head as he stood next to the tree,” the acting senior assistant in the region of investigative department Maria Orlova told news agency “PenzaNews.”

She explained that on the same day the man was delivered to the emergency department of the district hospital with a diagnosis “traumatic brain injury, contused wound of the head.”

“The patient was given medical assistance. Later he was sent to a clinic in Penza, where he was operated. However, he died on May 8,” the agency interlocutor commented.

Maria Orlova added that a criminal case was instituted on the incident.

“At present, complex of investigations aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the incident, as well as strengthening the evidence base, including the charges brought against a 50-year-old man, are held,” the representative of Investigative Committee of Russia in the Penza region said.