Police identify woman killed by falling tree

Police have identified the woman killed by a falling tree in Garfield Park on July 10 as 35-year-old Sarah Noah of Southeast.

Noah died early Wednesday morning while walking her dog and spouse in the park. According to the police report, witnesses told officers they heard several loud bangs or popping noises and then “everyone in the park started running in all directions.”

According to the report, Noah was trapped under a large tree branch when they arrived, but officers were unable to move him because he was extremely heavy. DC Fire Emergency Medical Services (DC FEMS) used chainsaws to get to her. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:37 a.m.

The tree has since been removed from Garfield Park. On Wednesday, Earl Eutsler, deputy director of the Washington Department of Transportation’s Division of Urban Forestry, said the tree, a nearly 100-year-old swamp white oak, was last inspected and pruned in July 2022 “and showed no indication that such a thing was possible or even likely.”

A letter from the friends of Garfield Park shared with X (formerly Twitter) The letter is addressed to city officials and requests a meeting to discuss maintenance of the park, including concerns about the health of the trees, and a strategic plan to address concerns about their structural safety as extreme heat and drought become more common.

“Our community is in shock and we cannot afford to delay deferred maintenance any longer,” the Friends group wrote. “The remaining issues that need to be addressed at the park must be addressed through real action, urgency to fund maintenance and proper management.”

Garfield Park is planned for $1.3 million renovation The project is scheduled to begin this summer after a kick-off event in June.