Woman Celebrating 73rd Birthday Killed by Falling Tree While Cleaning Up After Hurricane Milton
Luisa Santos was cleaning up debris to make sure residents at Oakland Manor Assisted Living were safe when she died, according to her daughter
A Florida woman died after a tree fell on her while she was celebrating her 73rd birthday after Hurricane Milton.
Tampa police officers responded to the 2800 block of N. Nebraska Ave around 11 a.m. local time on Thursday, Oct. 10, “following the report of a large tree branch that had collapsed," according to a statement from the police department, obtained by PEOPLE.
The woman, who was found underneath the tree limb when officers arrived, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The victim has been identified as Luisa Santos, who recently moved to Tampa after coming to the United States 20 years ago, her daughter, Wendy Tantozo, told ABC affiliate WFTS-TV.
Tantozo said her mother had started cleaning up before a tree service arrived to make sure residents at Oakland Manor Assisted Living were safe.
“One of the branches was hanging and then she keep cutting the lower part, the one that was touching the ground,” Tantozo's husband told the station.
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Tantozo said the tree then “just fell on top” of her mother.
Her daughter added that the day after the storm, her mother was "so happy" and that "everybody was greeting her happy birthday."
Her death appears to be accidental, according to the HCSO. “Our thoughts are with the family as they grieve their loved one,” Chief Lee Bercaw said in the statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Tampa police are investigating.
At least 16 people have died after Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Wednesday, Oct. 10 as a Category 3 storm. Learn more about how you can help here.
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Read the original article on People.