Man killed in Central NY, woman injured when large tree falls on their Airbnb in Upstate NY
A 77-year-old man lost his life when an “extremely large tree” crashed through their Airbnb in upstate New York as he and his wife were packing up to return home from vacation, authorities said.
David Denham of West Winfield was staying with his wife Linda, also 77, in Perry, just outside Letchworth State Park.
The Herkimer County couple was loading their car Friday morning when the tree crashed through their home, The Daily News reported.
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office said that around 10 a.m. on August 2, Wyoming County Emergency Services received multiple calls about a tree that had fallen on the front of a home at 3925 Thompson Avenue in the town of Castile.
The tree knocked down power lines, left live wires standing and damaged several cars. Callers reported people buried under debris from homes.
Denham was hit in the head by falling debris from the house and was trapped underneath, the sheriff’s office said.
Neighbors pulled him from the wreckage and attempted to save his life before he was taken to Wyoming County Community Hospital.
He died later from his injuries.
His wife was flown on a Mercy flight to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for treatment and was in critical condition, according to WKTV News Channel 2.
Denham’s obituary describes him as a portrait painter and opera singer who performed from Lincoln Center in New York to Moscow, USSR. He worked for the art department of the American Broadcasting Corporation and the Acorn Group. He later became a national park ranger and worked for many years at Roosevelt’s home in Hyde Park and on the Statue of Liberty.
Perry Fire Chief Dave Spink told WKTV that several neighbors assisted rescuers and helped begin life-sustaining treatment for both victims.
Airbnb said in a statement that it would offer support to those affected.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims of this tragedy,” the statement said.
The property, located on the grounds of the Silver Lake Institute in the town of Castile, is scheduled to undergo emergency demolition.
