A woman was killed on Wednesday night when a falling tree branch struck her, as reported by witnesses.
Bill Miller mentioned that his wife, 49-year-old Gendie Miller from Ligonier, passed away. He and Gendie were at Renzie Park in McKeesport on Wednesday evening to support their 16-year-old daughter, Marlee, at the Western PA College Showcase softball camp.
She never skipped a practice or an event, whether it was high school, travel ball, or anything else,” Miller said. “That’s just who she was.
Moments before 7 p.m., Bill heard a cracking noise that caused him to leap up from his seat.
“I told my wife, ‘Let’s go.’ I jumped up from my chair and felt a small branch of some kind brush against my leg. I immediately turned to my right to look back at her, and she was lying face down with several large branches and limbs on top of her,” Miller said.
He remembered witnessing several branches, each between 10 and 12 inches in diameter. He mentioned that individuals quickly started assisting in moving the branches away from the woman, but the injuries were extensive. Gendie was taken to Forbes Hospital but could not be saved.
“It was so traumatic, carrying the heavy burden of branches and limbs, it was overwhelming. And I can assure you that she didn’t pass away from her heart, because her heart is too large,” Miller said.
He mentioned that this was a trait his wife, who had been married for 17 years, was recognized for — her generous heart and compassionate nature, along with her affection for their travel softball group in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
“She would give you the sweater from her back,” Miller said.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko released a statement on Thursday, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult moment. An evening that began like any other, with people coming together in the park for a game, has turned into a tragedy following this terrible accident.”
“I believe I’m in shock, and it feels surreal that it hasn’t really affected me the most – or my daughter either. She’s showing a lot of strength. And, you know, I’m concerned about that, just as I’m concerned about her,” Miller said.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 contacted McKeesport police and will provide further updates to this story as more information becomes available.
A coach on Gendie’s daughter’s Nitro Fastpitch teamhas started a GoFundMeto assist the Miller family during this period.
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READ THE FULL STORY:A woman from Ligonier was fatally struck by a falling tree while attending a softball camp in McKeesport.
