MADISON TWP, Armstrong County — A bow hunter was killed Wednesday when he fell out of a tree stand in woods in this township in north central Armstrong County, authorities said.

Investigators have identified the man as Daniel T. Egan, 52, of North Braddock, Allegheny County.

Authorities suspect that Egan was dead for hours until a friend discovered his body Thursday morning.

An autopsy later determined he died of severe injuries to the chest and stomach, said Armstrong County Deputy Coroner Brian Myers, who pronounce the man dead at the scene.

Myers said investigators are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests, which could take several weeks.

Egan was alone hunting deep in the woods off Poseytown Road, and he was using a ladder stand. The property is owned by his friend, said state police Lt. Thomas Dubovi of the Kittanning barracks.

That friend told investigators that he last saw Egan at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, apparently when he went out to the tree stand. Egan previously had hunted on the property.

It was not unusual, investigators said, for Egan to sleep when hunting in tree stands.

But at some time, the friend apparently became concerned.

“His buddy went looking for him that night when (the friend) got up (Thursday) and found he wasn’t there on the couch sleeping,” Myers said.

After some time looking, the friend about 7:30 a.m. Thursday found the man, wearing hunting gear, below the tree stand. His bow was near his body.

Myers said the man likely died as soon as he hit the ground after falling some 20 feet. Investigators noted that he was not wearing a safety harness.

“From all indications,” Dubovi said, “he was dead at the scene for a while.”

Investigators said a cell phone was in his pants pocket.

Myers pronounced him dead at 9 a.m. Thursday.

“We think he just fell out of the tree,” Myers said. “Why he fell? We don’t know.”