Tragic Incident in Lynnwood: Tree Fall Claims Life and Injures Son
The article details a tragic incident in Lynnwood where a tree fell on a homeless encampment during a bomb cyclone, resulting in the death of 65-year-old Deborah O’Connor and serious injuries to her son, Brian O’Connor, aged 38. The event occurred on November 19, with Brian narrowly escaping death by using a pocket knife to free himself from the tent and walking to a nearby road for help despite suffering a severe spinal injury. He has undergone two spinal surgeries and will need ongoing physical therapy and support. An online fundraiser has been set up to help cover his medical costs and secure stable housing, raising over $2,000 as of the article's publication. The article also provides context about the bomb cyclone's destructive effects in Snohomish County, including wind gusts and widespread power outages, and notes another fatality in Bellevue due to falling trees.
This piece serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those in precarious situations during extreme weather events.