Man killed by fallen tree in City Heights amid strong Christmas Eve winds

A man died Wednesday in City Heights after part of a tree fell on him amid windy conditions, San Diego police and fire officials said.

Another portion of the tree fell on a nearby home, but did not cause any injuries, in an incident that occurred around 10:55 a.m. on the corner of Marlborough Avenue and Wightman Street, a block south of University Avenue, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Capt. Jason Shanley and San Diego police Sgt. David Yu.

Firefighters who arrived on scene found the man trapped under the large section of tree that fell and struck him, Shanley said. The fire crews were told that family members had attempted to free the victim but were unable to do so.

Firefighters and police officers were able to pull the man from under the tree and provided medical aid, but he died at the scene, Shanley said.

No information about the victim was immediately available.

City arborists were called to the scene to safely bring down the rest of the tree, which split into three large pieces, according to Shanley, who said that city officials were dealing with several other fallen trees around the city, though none of the others had caused injuries.

“This is so typical during high winds,” Shanley said. “It’s going to be a busy night for the city.”