Man found dead under tree in Connecticut after storm

WILLIMANTIC, Connecticut (WTNH) – One person was killed during last night’s severe storms on Union Street in Willimantic, Connecticut.

“A large tree fell on the Willimantic Housing Authority property and unfortunately crushed him, causing his death,” Willimantic Fire Chief Marc Scrivener said of the unidentified victim.

Scrivener says the man was on a sidewalk on Union Street near a parking lot and walking trail when the tree fell.

Firefighters propped up the tree with wooden or composite blocks and used chainsaws to cut through it and reach the victim, who was about fifty years old.

His family arrived at the scene this afternoon.

“They want answers. I’ll be honest with you,” said Danyale Ellis of Willimantic.

Ellis knew the victim and described him as a caring and loving person.

Blanchard said the family hopes to learn who called police and if anyone has any additional information.

“When I found out this morning, I was just heartbroken,” said Vanna Colon, owner of nearby Latin Flavor CT restaurant.

Colon filmed the storm on Wednesday evening, which she says came fast and was fierce.

“As I started recording the rain, I heard what seemed like a crackling sound that must have come from the tree falling,” Colon said.

According to the Willimantic Fire Department, there were about a dozen incidents related to the storm, including trees falling on cars. One of those incidents occurred on West Avenue.

“The lights (of the car) were still on,” Scrivener said. “The firefighters came, entered the car, but there was no one in it. We don’t know where they went.”

Trees also fell on power lines, across roads and even into a house on Normandy Avenue.

The resident of the Normandy Avenue home said it was a duplex and the half of the house that was hit by the tree was unoccupied. His wife, who was home with their young children, said the whole house shook when the tree hit the house.