Woman killed by falling tree amid high winds in Chilliwack, B.C., park

A woman was killed by a falling tree in a Chilliwack, B.C., park Monday afternoon as the region was hit by strong winds, police say.

Officers were called to Island 22 Regional Park, just north of the city's downtown core, at around 3 p.m. PT, according to Sgt. Alexandra Greenley with the RCMP's Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment.

Greenley said the woman was with two children at the time and victim services were called in to attend for them.

The fatal incident happened as a strong weather system moved through southwestern B.C. Monday, bringing powerful wind gusts to the Fraser Valley.

Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor said winds were particularly strong in the region in the afternoon.

“A really vigorous frontal system passed through the lower Fraser Valley,” Proctor said.

Gusts recorded in Chilliwack Monday afternoon reached a speed of 66 km/h, he said.

He said the strongest gust recorded was in Hope, where winds reached 107 km/h.

The storm also downed power for thousands of people across the region.

B.C. Hydro says outages peaked Monday, with more than 90,000 customers without service at one point, particularly in Squamish, Duncan and Hope, which were among the hardest hit areas.

Proctor said another frontal system is expected to move through the region later Tuesday, with winds forecast to reach 70 to 80 km/h in parts of the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver.

Darren Clarke, a local resident who frequents Island 22 Regional Park to walk his dogs, said he saw police blocking off access in the afternoon.

“We saw about 12 officers there and a tree down, and we were asked to leave the park,” he said.

Clarke described the mood in the area as sombre.

“When you hear about a tragedy like this, it's always so sad,” he said. “And this time of year, so close to Christmas, I just feel for the family. It's a tough one."

The park remains closed to the public Tuesday.