Woman died after a tree fell on her while cleaning up damage from Hurricane Milton

In a tragic event that occurred in Tampa, Florida, a 73-year-old woman died after a tree fell on her while trying to clean up the damage left by Hurricane Milton. The victim, identified as Luisa Santos, He was celebrating his birthday at the time of the accident, according to authorities.

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The state of Florida has witnessed devastating damage following the passage of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm on October 9 and 10. At least 16 people have lost their lives, and residents face an arduous task of recovery in the face of material damage and severe flooding.

The tragic accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 10, on N. Nebraska Avenue in Tampa. Police Department officers received an emergency call reporting a large tree branch that had collapsed, and when they arrived at the scene, they found Santos under the rubble. Despite their efforts, officers pronounced him dead at the scene.

Luisa Santos, originally from Latin America, had arrived in the United States two decades ago and had recently settled in Tampa, where she lived at Oakland Manor Assisted Living, a residence for seniors. Her daughter, Wendy Tantozo, shared with ABC Action News that his mother was concerned for the safety of the other residents of the home and had begun removing debris before the specialized tree pruning team arrived.

“A branch was hanging dangerously, and my mother decided to cut it off before anyone could get hurt,” Tantozo explained.. “She always thought of others, and that day was no different,” she added excitedly.

According to stories from his relatives Santos was in very good spirits. She had received numerous congratulations on her birthday and was glad to have survived. to the hurricane. “I was happy, grateful to be okay and in a safe place,” Tantozo recalled.

However, her desire to help and protect others turned into tragedy when the tree she was trying to cut down collapsed, crushing her under its weight.

“She was very determined and brave, but we didn’t think something like that could happen,” commented her husband, visibly affected.

Local police confirmed that his death was accidental and the department continues to investigate the exact circumstances of the event. “Our hearts go out to Ms. Santos’ family during this difficult time,” Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in an official statement.

Hurricane Milton has left a devastating toll in Florida, mainly on the west coast, where it made landfall near Siesta Key. Aside from the 16 confirmed deaths, thousands of residents have lost their homes due to flooding and strong winds. that uprooted trees and destroyed buildings.

Local authorities and humanitarian aid organizations continue to work hard to provide support to those affected. However, the recovery is expected to be long, as many areas remain inaccessible. due to the damage to infrastructure and roads.

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