Jul 23, 2008 6:04 am US/Eastern
Kayaker Killed By Falling Tree In Del. Creek
BRANDYWINE, Del. (CBS3/AP) ―
Delaware state police say a 44-year-old Pennsylvania man was killed when a tree fell on him as he kayaked in Brandywine Creek.
It happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday about a quarter mile north of Thompson's Bridge in Brandywine Creek State Park.
Police say the man from Kennett Square, Pa., was in the water with his wife and two friends when the tree unexpectedly fell from the eastern shoreline on top of him. They say the man and his three companions were entangled in the tree, which was about 100 feet tall and about five feet wide.
A nearby hiker called 911. Rescuers used two kayaks to carry the man to shore, but he was pronounced dead once they got back to the bridge.
"It's just a tragic, freak accident, I don't know how something like this happens," Cpl. Jeffrey Whitmarsh said.
The identity of the victim was not immediately known.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
