Falling tree kills Arnold girl, 8

Written by Union Democrat staff March 19, 2012 11:18 am

An Arnold girl, Haley Verzani, was killed early Sunday morning when a tree fell through her bedroom.

Battalion Chief Ron Getter said emergency response personnel were dispatched at 6:27 a.m. to the home, on the 2700 block of Moran Road.

An uprooted tree fell across Moran Creek, hitting the house, Getter said. “It impacted the child’s bedroom and trapped her beneath the tree.”

Emergency crews used life-saving rescue equipment to remove the tree, Getter said.

But, he said the 8-year-old Verzani was killed instantly by the falling tree.

“We had to treat it like she was alive when we got there because you never know,” Getter said.

He said the 36-inch diameter tree was possibly uprooted by heavy rain and snow over the weekend.

Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department Getter expected to have a preliminary report on the incident available later today.

“Our own personnel are going to be seeking some counseling,” Getter said, following the tragic event.

Verzani was a student at Hazel Fischer Elementary School in Arnold.

The Calaveras County Office of Education dispatched a crisis team this morning to counsel students, teachers and parents.