Jun 29, 2009 5:19 pm US/Eastern
Expert: Rainfall Led To Tree Killing Mom, Daughter
Reporting
Adam May
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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A family is grieving over the loss of a mother and daughter killed by a giant branch.
CBS
The recent rainfall is being blamed for falling trees. A family is grieving over the loss of a mother and daughter killed by a giant branch.
Adam May has more on the accident and the problem.
In a freak accident, a minivan full of seven children, driven by the mother of five of them, was suddenly crushed by a falling tree in Bethesda. Family and friends are devastated.
Dr. Kelly Murray and her seven-year-old daughter, Sloane, were killed. Murray was an associate professor at Loyola College.
"She was the kind of person, if there was a meeting, you wanted to sit next to her. She was just fun," said Dr. Robert Wicks.
Above average rainfall could lead to more accidents like this, according to tree experts.
"As the root declines, so does the tree, so you may not have anchoring," said Tim Shrive.
Unfortunately, nature is not always predictable, and falling or uprooted trees often give little, if any, warning. Often, it happens too fast to detect.
Last September, a dead oak tree killed Vanessa Sandler while she was taking out her trash in Pikesville.
Arborists say tree trimming and being aware can save lives.
"You know folks will cut grass, cut bushes, and never look up to see the potential hazard hanging over their heads," said Jack Roesner.
A recent study for the chances of being killed by a wind-blown tree are more than one in a million.
A prayer service will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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