Falling tree that killed Brantford woman was close miss for several others
New details are emerging about the tragic incident that killed a Brantford woman over the weekend.
Twenty-seven-year-old Shelby Humble-Neale was killed by a falling tree in Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area in Ayr during the intense storm on Saturday.
Police say it was a narrow miss for several others.
OPP Const. Conrad Vitalis said when officers got on scene they saw a large tree had fallen on a camper trailer and “essentially crushed it.”
Humble-Neale was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was later pronounced dead. Two other people were transported to hospital with minor injuries.
“There were five or six people camping on the site, they saw the storm coming in and went to the trailer for shelter,” said Vitalis. “Unfortunately, shortly after getting into the trailer, my understanding is that’s when the high winds blew the tree over, crushing the trailer and causing the injuries.”
Humble-Neale is being remembered by friends as a one of a kind friend, who was caring and outgoing.
Police reminded people to be aware of their surroundings in a storm but said an incident like this is incredibly rare.
“I can honestly say in my over 10 years in Brant County this is the first time I heard of [a tree] falling on a person,” Vitalis said. “[It was] just totally unfortunate circumstances that they happened to be in that trailer at that time.”
“You’re camping for a long weekend, right? To have that happen is just so incredibly unfortunate,” Vitalis continued.
Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area was closed for several days for the cleanup. It is now back open for day use, but some areas remain off limits.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Brown campaign accuses Conservative party of acting in favour of Poilievre after disqualification from leadership race
Patrick Brown has been disqualified from the federal Conservative leadership race, after ballots have already begun to be mailed out, and his campaign is fighting back against what it calls anonymous allegations.

'Most stressful experience': Express Entry draws resume, but long waits take toll
Canada's immigration department is restarting all Express Entry draws for immigration applications Wednesday, after pausing the program 18 months ago during the pandemic.
Emergency room delays to continue for 'quite some time,' doctor warns
An emergency room physician is urging governments to address the country’s shortfall of health-care workers in light of the recent temporary shutdowns of emergency departments and the staffing downsizing at others.
Woman who was set on fire on Toronto bus has died, police confirm
A woman who was set on fire while on a Toronto bus in a random attack last month has died, police say.
Boy, 2, orphaned after both parents killed in Fourth of July parade shooting
Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35, the parents of a two-year-old boy, were among seven people killed in the Chicago-area mass shooting on July 4.
'We're all really shaken up': Father recounts reuniting with missing daughter as U.S. man is charged
The father of the Edmonton girl who was missing for nine days said he was getting ready to post another update on Facebook last Saturday when police knocked on his door.
Religious group members charged over alleged murder of 8-year-old girl in Australia
Australian authorities have charged 12 members of a religious group with the alleged murder of an 8-year-old girl, police said in a statement Tuesday.
Jayland Walker was handcuffed when his body arrived at the medical examiner's office: autopsy report
Jayland Walker was handcuffed behind his back when his body arrived at the coroner's office to be processed as part of the investigation into the officers who shot and killed him in Akron last week, according to a medical examiner's report that was reviewed by CNN.
Amanda Todd case: 'Pornographic' Facebook image reported to police, high school friend testifies
A high school friend of B.C. teen Amanda Todd has testified he took action when he saw what he described as a 'pornographic' picture of her on Facebook in November 2011.