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Wind Storm Kills Ranger In Yosemite

LOS ANGELES (AP) — High winds from a storm sweeping across Northern California uprooted a huge tree that killed an employee at Yosemite National Park as he lay in his tent cabin.

Park spokesman Scott Gediman says 27-year-old Ryan Hiller of Chapel Hill, N.C. was killed instantly by a branch from the tree at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

Hiller is a ranger during busy periods at the park, but had been working for a park concessioner and staying in the Yosemite Valley stable complex while waiting for the winter ski season.

Gedimane says Hiller was a "very skilled ranger" who often helped in search-and-rescue efforts.

He says cold rains fell on the park Saturday and winds knocked down many large trees, but no other injuries have been reported.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press)

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