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)