Tragedy Strikes on Boy Scout Hike: Mother of a Scout Dies in Cupertino, California
Tragedy struck on a Boy Scout hike in Cupertino, California, on Sunday morning when a mother of a scout died after a tree fell on her while they were out on a hike.[0] The Santa Clara County Fire Department responded to the scene at 10:01 a.m. at Rancho San Antonio Park, where they extricated the woman and attempted life-saving measures, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Surya, a bystander who was nearby at the time of the incident, said he heard screaming and saw the tree about 40 to 50 feet away. He and other nearby hikers tried to lift the tree off the woman, but the log was too heavy. The victim's son, a senior in high school, was with her at the time and also attempted to help, but he too was unsuccessful.
Park Rangers are continuing to investigate what caused the tree to fall.[1] Authorities said the soil under the trees in the region is saturated from storms over the past two months, which can result in the trees easily falling over.[2] Park officials urge caution to those using the trails. Rancho San Antonio is a 165-acre county park with 24 trails and 3,988-acre open space preserve.[3]
Eric Tarbox, Scout executive/CEO of Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, Boy Scouts of America, confirmed the deceased was the parent of a scout and they were participating in a planned hike at the Rancho San Antonio Park.[2] He added that no one else was hurt.[4]
The victim's name has not yet been publicly released. MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District chief ranger Matt Anderson said the park remains open to the public, but the PG&E trail is closed.[5]
It was a tragic reminder to be cautious when hiking, as the victim and her son had set out on what was meant to be a peaceful hike in a relatively calm morning.
0. “Mom hiking with son, other Boy Scouts killed by falling tree, California officials say” Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article272794270.html
1. “California mom killed by falling tree on hike with son’s Boy Scout troop: report” Fox News, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-mom-killed-falling-tree-hike-sons-boy-scout-troop-report
2. “Woman Hiking With Son Dies After Tree Falls On Her In California” News On 6, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.newson6.com/story/6405dceb19fdfa1364140d10/woman-hiking-with-son-dies-after-tree-falls-on-her-in-california-
3. “Woman killed by falling tree at Rancho San Antonio” Redwood City Pulse, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.rwcpulse.com/local-news/public-safety/woman-killed-by-falling-tree-at-rancho-san-antonio-6654965
4. “Woman on Boy Scouts hike with son dies after tree falls on her in Cupertino: “I heard some screams”” CBS News, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boy-scouts-hike-woman-with-son-dead-tree-falls-cupertino/
5. “Tree falls, kills hiker in Cupertino” KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.ktvu.com/news/tree-falls-kills-hiker-in-coopertino
