Student survives 5,000-lbs tree crashing through bedroom

Student survives 5,000-lbs tree crashing through bedroom

(Great Neck Fire Department/WPIX)


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

Great Neck, NY — Authorities saved a 20-year-old college student after a nearly 5,000-pound tree fell into her house and trapped her inside for two hours early Monday.

A large tree unexpectedly fell over, struck the roof and collapsed into a second story bedroom of 11 Wooleys Lane East home shortly after midnight Monday, according to the Great Neck Fire Department.

The victim, who was asleep at the time, became entrapped by the tree and debris that came to rest on top of her, fire officials said.

According to Chief James Neubert of the Great Neck Fire Department, neighbors were awakened by her screams and the pain she was in was "tremendous."

Several fire departments along with the Nassau County police responded to the scene and were able to free the victim about two hours after the non-storm related incident.


A combination of different things saved her. Being on a bed took some of the cushioning in.

–Chief James Neubert


Neubert said they also had to deal with live wires and had to get PSEG to turn the power off. It took a lot of coordination to lift the heavy tree and get her out, he said.

"One of the major limbs that came off the trunk was on top of her," Neubert said. "A combination of different things saved her. Being on a bed took some of the cushioning in."

The Binghamton student, who was on summer break, was taken to a local hospital where she's receiving treatment for multiple injuries. She is listed in serious but stable condition at this time.

Great Neck Fire Department Chief Joshua Forst said that they're still evaluating her at the hospital, but it does not appear she has broken limbs.

"Family has thanked everyone and said its a miracle she's okay," Forst said.

Copyright 2015 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Most recent U.S. stories

Related topics

U.S.
Christopher Brito and Anthony DiLorenzo

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast