Brampton woman, 70, killed by falling tree during powerful Ontario storm

Article content

A Brampton woman in her 70s was killed in a violent storm that ravaged the Greater Toronto Area and other parts of Ontario Saturday.

It was news that stunned Brampton and had Mayor Patrick Brown expressing deep sorrow.

The woman got caught outside and was struck by a falling tree in the area of Belmont Dr. and Birchbank Rd. — near Dixie Rd. and Steeles Ave. E.

“This is horrible,” said Brown. “Our deepest condolences to the family.”

Environment Canada issued a severe weather storm warning at 12:45 p.m., but the extreme wind, rain, lightning and hail moved across the area so quickly that it caught many by surprise. The skies went from bright and sunny to dark and forboding in an instant.

Then the storm hit, catching may off guard while out for a walks or run, driving to the cottage or to the store.

The senior in Brampton was just out for a walk by herself when the storm closed in.

“She was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries,” Peel Regional Police Const. Heather Cannon told reporters at the scene.

Reports flooded in from across Ontario of at least one other death, people being trapped and buildings being demolished by the storm.

jwarmington@postmedia.com