Woman killed by falling tree while hiking near Cupertino identified

The woman killed while hiking with her child during a Boy Scouts event Sunday at an open space near Cupertino has been identified as a 44-year-old woman from San Jose.

Vidyut Nautiyal died after a tree fell on her as she was hiking in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, according to the Santa Clara County coroner’s office.

Nautiyal was hiking on the Stephen E. Abbors Trail, which runs along the south edge of the park in the hills above Cupertino, when the tree fell on her Sunday morning.

The Santa Clara County Fire Department was called to the scene at approximately 10 a.m., after attempts by other park visitors to free the woman from the downed tree proved unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Sunday night, a local Boy Scouts of America executive said the woman who died was a parent who was part of a Scout hike. No one else in the group was injured.

“We are saddened to confirm one adult accidental fatality involving a tree. The deceased is the parent of a Scout and they were participating in a planned hike at the Rancho San Antonio Park,” said Eric Tarbox, Scout executive/CEO of the Boy Scouts’ Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, in a statement later e-mailed to the Bay Area News Group.

“We will continue to cooperate with investigating authorities. All Scouts are safe and there were no additional injuries. Our emergency response protocols and notifications are currently being followed, and we appreciate privacy for the family and Scout unit as they are still being moved from the area and rejoined with their families,” Tarbox said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.