One person killed after tree falls on tent in woods off bypass

LACONIA — One person died in the woods off Route 3 bypass on Friday, after high winds caused a large tree to fall on a tent there, where the victim was believed to be sleeping inside.

According to Police Chief Matt Canfield, officers were dispatched to the scene at 2:58 a.m. on Oct. 31, after a call from another person at the scene. It was raining heavily with high winds, and he said it appeared a pine tree, about 18 to 24 inches in diameter, snapped off about 15 feet up, crushing the tent and the victim inside.

“Even if you are living in a tent, you are still a human being, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the individual and his family,” Canfield said.

According to Deputy Fire Chief Louis Loutrel, Laconia police and firefighters responded, and firefighters cut the tree in order to access the scene.

“It sounds like with the heavy rain and high winds, a lot of trees came down in the city,” Loutrel said. “One of the ones surrounding the encampment came down and landed on the tent that a person was in.”

No CPR or lifesaving measures were taken, as Loutrel said the victim died at the scene. The Chief Medical Examiner's Office will perform an autopsy, and no other injuries were reported.

Due to the location, police and fire departments from Gilford and Belmont were also dispatched, as it was initially unclear where the tent was. It was near the Gilford town line.

Officers said there were less than 10 people at the scene, and Canfield said he wouldn’t call the group of tents an encampment, because it was so small. It was what Canfield called a “tragic and freak accident,” and officers checked on those who witnessed the traumatic incident, while firefighters cut through the tree.

“Usually, the police on the scene will help with a traumatic situation like this,” Loutrel said. Canfield adding those his officers spoke with indicated that they were OK.

The identity of the victim is being withheld until next of kin is notified.

There were reports of trees and wires coming down in Laconia all morning on Friday, ranging from about 2:30 until 7 a.m., Loutrel said.

A detour was set up by police at the intersection of Meredith Center and Parade roads, and then again at Perch Pond Road, due to a live wire across the roadway. A call came about the downed wire at about 2:30 a.m., and police said there were delays getting Eversource to the scene as they were busy with calls across the state.

Another call came in at 5:45 a.m. on Oct. 31, when a tree came down on a propane tank at 60 White Oaks Road. Loutrel said there were no injuries reported, and the tree did not cause damage to the townhouse, but there were initial concerns about a potential leak.

Loutrel said crews were able to turn off the propane connection to mitigate any threat quickly.

At 6:54 a.m. Friday, a tree fell onto a home at 14 Beech St., causing minor damage and bringing down communication wires, as well.

Firefighters responded to make sure the tree didn’t cause enough damage for a potential collapse of the roof, and to ensure the wires were just for communication and not electricity. No injuries were reported, and the scene was cleared quickly.

Loutrel said there were several other calls for trees down in the road, but no other major injuries or property damage reported.

“We were pretty busy,” Loutrel said. “I don’t know the official wind speed in the city, but it was whipping pretty good all morning.”