Banking government dies in freak accident strolling by way of park
A beloved Washington DC resident died in a freak park accident after firefighters battled frantically to save her.
Sarah Noah, 35, was with her husband, walking her dog through Garfield Park in the Capital Hill neighborhood last Wednesday morning around 7.30am when she was struck and pinned underneath a massive fallen tree branch.
Fire crews and EMS raced to the scene near Third Street and South Carolina Avenue after horrified bystanders called for help.
Chainsaws were used to try and free the woman, but she was no longer conscious or breathing when they arrived, and was pronounced dead, as per the police report.
Sarah Noah, 35, was with her husband walking her dog through Garfield Park in the Capital Hill neighborhood last Wednesday morning around 7.30am when she was struck and pinned underneath a massive fallen tree branch
The colossal tree limb that struck and killed the beloved banking executive last Wednesday
Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed her condolences and called the incident a ‘heartbreaking tragedy’.
‘My heart goes out to the family of our resident and the whole neighborhood that’s pretty in shock. I’ll get a full briefing and we will certainly proceed, but I think this morning we just wake up with a very heavy heart,’ she said.
Moments before the tragedy, police said witnesses heard a cracking and popping sound before they ran in different directions.
It remains unclear if Noah had been wearing headphones and may not have heard the sound of the tree falling.
The tree that was identified as a swamp white oak tree that is 50 feet in diameter and approximately 100 years old.
Officials from the D.C. Department of Transportation who were present after the accident said the tree gave no indication of issues.
Sharon Kershbaum, DDOT’s acting director, said the department was ‘truly heartbroken,’ upon learning of Noah’s unexpected passing.
Kershbaum told Fox 5 that the Urban Forestry Division is responsible for the maintenance of all the District’s street trees and park trees, and that they are ‘incredibly proud of their track record and responsiveness.’
However, a day before Noah was killed, an email was sent to by neighbors in the Capital Hill area to city officials about their concerns about tree health and the park, Fox 5 reports.
In the email, they stated that the park was ‘very dry’ and had no water access, and requested assistance to water the trees and lawns as they were also concerned about fires.
The tree, identified as a swamp white oak tree was approximately 100 years old
Crews removed the tree that killed the 35-year-old banking executive last week – mourners have placed flowers on the stump to honor a life cut too short
Other issues raised included the cracked sidewalks and rodents in the park.
‘Garfield Park Friends and Neighbors’ had sent a letter to D.C. Mayor Bowser and other councilmembers to address pruning issues on the tree whose branch broke killing the civilian.
The letter detailed, in part, some of the ongoing complaints community members had about Garfield Park, and the funds they needed to address tree maintenance.
‘Our community is in shock, and we cannot afford to continue delaying deferred maintenance any longer,’ the letter continued.
‘Real action, urgency to fund maintenance, and proper administration must account for the remaining items needed to be addressed at the park.’
Earl Eutsler, associate director for DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division, told the news outlet after the tragedy, that he was not aware of the emails and insisted that requests are taken seriously.
Eutsler explained that trees are inspected roughly every five years.
He explained there are nearly 30 certified arborists who work for the department, and all are tree risk assessment qualified.
Sarah loved to run marathons and leaves behind her husband Craig, their dog Jackson, her parents, brother and countless friends
They assess for decay and defects using special tools, removing about 50 trees per year.
May 2022 was the last formal inspection of the swamp white oak tree that took Noah’s life. In July of of that year, the tree was last pruned.
Eutsler called the falling of the tree as ‘an unforeseeable event.’
‘I don’t think we’ll be able to say conclusively why the limb fell,’ he said. ‘The tree, by all outward indications, was in good condition and that branch was well attached.’
Now, the tree’s stump is all that is left of it, and it has become a memorial where mourners have placed cards and flowers.
A GoFundMe has been arranged by a family friend. As of Tuesday afternoon more than $33,000 has been raised towards their goal of $50,000.
‘She will be dearly missed by her husband Craig, their dog Jackson, her parents, her brother, and countless friends.
‘Sarah was a fierce, fierce friend.’
‘Her unwavering loyalty and unabashed candor inspired those she loved. Her contagious sense of humor and palpable warmth instantly put people she just met at ease.
‘Sarah, even now, as we all mourn, we can hear your commentary on this nonsensical situation, accompanied by your trademark laughter. Your personality is magnetic and we will always carry it with us in our hearts.’
D.C.
D.C. Department of Transportation officials spoke at the scene shortly after the accident and said prior to this incident, the tree gave no outward indication, or visible indication, that a failure of this nature was possible – much less likely.
Earl Eutsler, associate director for DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division, called the incident ‘an unforeseeable event.’ He said the next step after the tree ‘abruptly, tragically, and suddenly failed’ was to remove it from the park. He said the removal process should be completed by Wednesday.
Timothy Crowley brings his dog Rosie to the park often. Though he did not know Noah, he said the entire situation hits home.
‘It’s crazy. Like, don’t know how you can expect something like that to happen just walking at 7:30. My girlfriend was taking her [Rosie] out for a walk at the same time, not at this park. Right across the street, heard about it. Makes no sense. Just terribly tragic,’ Crowley said. ‘She [Noah] probably was getting ready for her day like any other day and then next you know, the tree’s cut down and they’re planning for her funeral. It sucks.’
Woman killed by falling tree branch; officials say tree will be taken down
Officials provide an update after a woman was killed by a falling tree branch in a D.C. park Wednesday.
Sharon Kershbaum, DDOT’s acting director, said the department was ‘truly heartbroken.’
Kershbaum says the Urban Forestry Division is responsible for the maintenance of all the District’s street trees and park trees. She said the department was incredibly proud of their track record and responsiveness.
An email sent to D.C. officials the evening before the deadly incident was shared with FOX 5. It was formed by neighbors who have been expressing concerns over tree health and park conditions since May.
The email sent Tuesday evening indicated that the park was ‘very dry’ and had no water access. Neighbors requested help with watering some trees and lawns to prevent fires. An emailed reply indicated there had been several requests over dry parks and trees, and the request would be sent DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division.
Eutsler said Wednesday while he was not aware of the emails, requests are taken seriously.
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Woman killed by falling tree branch in DC park
Muhammad Sinjar of D.C. said he passes the park often and is concerned, as the tragic incident could have happened to anyone.
‘My kids. It would be too late to do anything. Now, I feel like…I don’t know, it’s too late. It’s too late to look at what options we have or take the matter more seriously,’ Sinjar said. ‘ An innocent life was really wasted here. In the middle of a…something that everybody does. I see people walking their dogs and at other parks, and it should be a safe area.’
Eutsler said the 50-foot diameter swamp white oak tree was about 100 years old. He said the tree was last pruned in July 2022. Its last formal inspection came in May 2022. He said the department aims to inspect trees every five years.
The last inspection came after a request from a resident, Eutsler said. He added all requests are taken seriously.
‘I don’t think we’ll be able to say conclusively why the limb fell,’ Eutsler said. ‘The tree, by all outward indications, was in good condition and that branch was well attached.’
In total, nearly 30 certified arborists work for the department and all are tree risk assessment qualified. Eutsler said inspections take place from the ground.
Occasionally, tools like sounding mallets are used to assess for decay and defects that are within reach. Nearly 500 trees are removed every year.
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