YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (BN24) — A 29-year-old Google software engineer was killed in a freak accident at Yosemite National Park after being struck by a falling branch from a giant sequoia tree, authorities and witnesses said.
Angela Lin was hiking with her boyfriend and two friends on July 19 along the Tuolumne Grove trail, a popular path known for its towering sequoias, when the incident occurred. According to Lin’s boyfriend, David Hua, the group heard a sharp cracking sound from above, followed by the sudden fall of several large branches.
“One big branch struck Angela, and then there were a bunch of smaller ones directly behind me,” Hua told SFGate. He said he immediately called 911 and performed CPR until a park ranger arrived, but Lin showed no signs of life.
Paramedics arrived on the scene, but Lin was never transported from the trail. Emergency responders later told Hua that the impact of the falling branch had likely killed her instantly.
“It was just unimaginable that something like this could occur,” Hua said. “On such a popular trail, too.”
The area where the accident happened—Tuolumne Grove—was closed to visitors for nearly a week following Lin’s death. Yosemite National Park officials confirmed the incident is still under investigation.
Scott Gediman, Yosemite’s public affairs officer, told SFGate that further details were not yet available, and Lin’s family has reportedly expressed frustration with the lack of updates from park authorities.
“We are seeking more information from the park service regarding this incident,” Hua said. “Especially around trail safety, maintenance, and awareness of problematic trees on popular trails, and future prevention of similar incidents.”
Online, bystanders and tourists who witnessed the tragic event have shared their own distress, with one person posting to Reddit to seek information about what happened.
“I am a tourist, but was on the scene of an extremely tragic freak accident in the area trying to provide [aid], and it has been haunting me,” the user wrote. “It hits so so hard because they were doing nothing wrong or careless… Life can be so cruel.”
Lin, who previously worked at Salesforce, had spent about six years in the tech industry. She was remembered by her loved ones for her intellect, energy, and love for nature.
