Fallen palm tree kills man in Phoenix: PD
PHOENIX - Phoenix Police officials say detectives are investigating after a man was killed by a fallen palm tree on Jan. 11.
The incident, according to a brief statement, happened at a park near 12th Street and South Mountain Avenue. Officers were initially sent to the scene at around 12:30 p.m. for an injured person call.
"When officers arrived, they found a man stuck underneath a large, fallen palm tree. The fire department responded and cut the tree to free the man," read a portion of the statement.
The man, officials say, died at the scene from his injuries. On Jan. 12, police identified the victim as 27-year-old Ryen Zehner.
"Preliminary information suggests the man was walking in the park with another person when the tree fell on top of him," read a portion of the statement.
The deadly incident happened on the same day the Phoenix area experienced strong winds.
"I was driving on the freeway and saw a lot of, like, trash flying around in some places," said Anthony Ray.
"It was dusty, windy, and I had to have all the windows up," said one driver, identified only as ‘Jake.’
Isacc Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, said the gusty winds can cause some dangerous situations.
"It can certainly be dangerous, for sure," said Smith. "These stronger wind gusts can cause some of these maybe dead trees or something to blow down more easily."