LINCOLN, N.H. (AP) - A 6-week old infant was killed by a falling tree during a family hike in Franconia Notch State Park during the weekend.
The infant was being carried by her 32-year-old mother when a tree fell across a trail, striking both of them around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Lincoln police said. It appears that the tree, rotted away at the bottom, finally gave way.
Sgt. Jeffrey Meier said the mother and baby were on a dirt path with the father, grandparents and a sibling in an area of the park known as "The Basin."
The infant, who was unconscious, but breathing, was treated in the parking lot, then flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center by helicopter, where the baby was pronounced dead.
No names were released. Police said the family was not from New Hampshire.
Hikers were shocked at the news.
"We've been coming here for so many years with our children," said Richard Toomey of Rhode Island. "It just kind of grabs you. This is such a great family place."
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