Man struck and killed by tree branch during wind storm while walking dogs
PUTNAM COUNTY (WABC) -- A man was hit and killed by a fallen tree branch while walking his dogs on the Putnam County Trailway on Monday afternoon amid gusty winds.
The trail is a popular spot for dog walkers, bicyclists and runners.
Monday's gusty winds proved too strong for a tree that sent a branch crashing across the trail, killing 62-year-old David Valdivia.
"There's a lot of dead and dying trees around and branches come down periodically and trees do fall down," Putnam Valley Resident Peter Porpiglia said.
Police responded to mile marker 53 in Brewster just afte 1 p.m. where they found the victim.
Valdivia had been struck in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Valdivia lived in Purdys and was walking his two dogs at the time of the accident.
He worked as a horse groomsman.
"I never saw him much because he was dealing with the horses but he was nice and polite and unfortunately they were excited about moving to a new place with more woods for the dogs," neighbor Scott Dickens said.
He was a native of Mexico but became a naturalized citizen a couple years ago.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help Valdivia return to Mexico where his family can lay him to rest.
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