Falling tree injures 10-year-old girl at Snoqualmie Pass

SNOQUALMIE PASS - A 10-year-old girl was only slightly injured when a dead tree fell and hit her near Snoqualmie Pass.  Firefighter Garrett Heaton with Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue said that the girl and her family were hiking up the trail to Annette Lake early Saturday morning when suddenly there was a loud "crack".   Someone yelled "Run!" and the girl turned and was hit by the tree.

Heaton said that the tree was about 25 feet high and 2 and 1/2 feet in diameter.  The tree shattered when it fell on the girl, breaking into pieces, and because it broke up on impact, the girl was not seriously hurt.  When firefighters reached the girl she was conscious and alert.  Heaton said the girl was transported to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue.  The girl was complaining of back and neck pain.

Heaton said that there are a lot of rotted trees in the area and the recent rain has caused many of the trees to fall down.  Hikers and campers should be aware of this potential danger when they're out in the area.  The Annette Lake trailhead is off I-90 west of Snoqualmie Pass.