Mum hiker killed by falling tree in front of horrified son and Boy Scout troop
A mum has been crushed to death by a falling tree in front of her horrified son and his Boy Scout troop.
The teenager, along with other shocked onlookers, desperately tried to heave the log off the woman, but she was sadly declared dead at the scene.
The group, which included the tree's victim, her son, several scouts and other parents, had been hiking in Rancho San Antonio Park, Cupertino, California, US, when the disaster struck.
A witness reported the victim's husband was also there.
Surya, a father of a scout, told CBS: “There were three people on my side and two people on the other side.
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Emergency services at the scene (cbs)“We were trying to think on our toes real quick and trying to see if we could lift the log that's on her body, see if we could lift it up a little bit so she could breathe,” he added.
Surya explained they were able to lift the tree "a little bit" and put a rock underneath so it wasn't touching her.
He said: "That was the best we could do.”
The mum has not been identified by authorities but a neighbour has said the family lives in San Jose.
The tree fell three and a half miles from the car park (cbs)The Santa Clara County Fire Department rushed to the scene at about 10am.
They managed to free her but she couldn't be saved.
Others hiking the area report hearing “screams” nearby.
Eric Tarbox, an executive with the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Boy Scouts of America, confirmed the mum's death on Sunday.
He said: "We are saddened to confirm one adult accidental fatality involving a tree. The deceased is the parent of a Scout and they were participating in a planned hike at the Rancho San Antonio Park.”
Mr Tarbox continued: “Our emergency response protocols and notifications are currently being followed and we appreciate privacy for the family and Scout unit as they are still being moved from the area and rejoined with their families."
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"It's a terrible tragedy, I heard she was with her husband and son so it's a horrible tragedy," hiker Warren Hargrave said to ABC 7 News.
Another witness said: "It's really pretty shocking. I've been hiking this for 20 years with my son and this park is really awesome."
“They're constantly trimming the trees, constantly taking care of it. I feel really bad that happened for the family."
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