Crime & Safety
Officials ID Woman Killed in East Hampton Tree Falling
The victim killed by a falling tree in the Salmon River State Forest was from Colchester.
State officials have identified the woman killed by a falling tree in Salmon River State Forest on Monday as Barbara Young, 45, of Pickerel Lake Road in Colchester.
Young was walking the bank of the Salmon River with her two children, Jessica Surratt, 18, and Kevin Surratt, 22, around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, according to a release from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Within several minutes of their arrival, a tree in the state forest fell on top of Young, injuring her daughter Jessica in the process, the state said. The DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police responded however Young was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jessica Surratt was rushed to Hartford Hospital after sustaining a leg injury. Kevin Surratt was not injured, officials said.
Several nearby fishermen assisted until emergency responders arrived.
DEEP said the EnCon, state and local police are all investigating what caused this tree to come down.
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