A Ligonier woman was killed Wednesday after tree branches fell on her at a youth softball event in McKeesport.
Gendie Miller, 49, was attending the event to watch her teenage daughter participate.
USA Softball of Western Pennsylvania officials said the incident took place prior to game play during the Western PA College Showcase softball camp, a recruiting event in Renziehausen Park.
Bill Miller, the victim’s husband, spoke with TribLive news partner WTAE. He said they were at the park supporting their 16-year-old daughter, Marlee.
“[Gendie] would never miss a practice or an event, high school, travel ball, whatever it was,” Miller said. “That was who she was.”
Miller and his wife were sitting under a tree, watching the event. Just before 7 p.m., Miller heard a cracking sound that jolted him from his seat.
“I said to my wife, ‘Let’s go.’ I jumped out of my chair, felt a small branch of some sort that grazed my leg. And I immediately turned to my right to look back at her, and she was face down with large, multiple branches and limbs,” Miller said.
He recalled seeing multiple branches, 10 to 12 inches thick. He said people immediately began to help move the branches off his wife, but the damage was severe. She was rushed to Forbes Hospital but died before arrival.
“With the heavy load of the type of branch and limb, it was devastating,” Miller said. “And I can tell you that she didn’t die from her heart, because her heart’s too big.”
He said his wife of 17 years was known for her big heart and kind spirit, as well as her love for their travel softball family in Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
A GoFundMe page to help support the Miller family was launched by one of Marlee’s coaches on her Nitro Fastpitch team.
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“We were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic situation that occurred before the start of our tournament,” said Sheri Burdett, District 9 USA Softball of Pennsylvania commissioner. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Miller family during this incredibly difficult time. At this moment, our sole focus is on supporting them in any way we can.”
In a statement on Thursday, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. An evening that started like any other, with families and friends gathered in the park for a game, has ended in tragedy after this horrible accident.”
A message for McKeesport Police was not immediately returned.
