Watch CBS News

Tree Falls On Somerset Home, Killing Child

SOMERSET TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A 10-year-old girl is dead after a large tree fell on her Somerset County home this morning.

According to state police, Kayla Wolk was laying in her bed when a tree nearly two-feet in diameter fell on her family's home and landed on top of her.

She survived the impact, but was trapped underneath and couldn't breathe.

Her parents and emergency responders tried desperately to free her, but there was nothing they could do.

"It's [an] extremely sad moment," Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani told KDKA. "Emotionally, it's just really hard to deal with something -- a loss of a life, let alone a young girl that is sleeping in her bed… I have a loss of words for what happened and I feel so horrible for the family."

The accident happened shortly before 7 a.m. at a home along Stepping Stones Road in Somerset Township.

Neighbors heard the storm.

"Like a loud crack," Bob Stanley said.

Wolk's parents and younger brother were all in the house at the time; but they were unable to help her.

Wolk would have been in the fifth grade at Eagle View Elementary School.

"Kayla was a great kid and outstanding student," Principal Erick Fish said. "She was a quiet, very pleasant girl. We'll miss her very immensely."

Counselors will be on hand at the school next week to help her friends and classmates deal with the sudden loss.

For now, the community is coming together for the family.

"My prayers are with them," Sarah Ogline, a neighbor, said. "It's the only thing I can say. I just feel sorry for them."

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More Somerset County News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.