Woman, 60, found dead in North Conway apartment after large tree hits building
Another woman rescued from basement apartment, officials say
Another woman rescued from basement apartment, officials say
Another woman rescued from basement apartment, officials say
A woman was found dead inside a North Conway apartment Tuesday night after a tree fell onto the building, causing significant damage.
The apartment building at 655 Kearsarge Road was struck Tuesday night as Tropical Storm Isaias moved through the region.
Police said they received a call about 7:15 p.m. from a woman who was trapped in a basement apartment after the tree hit the building. She was safely rescued, police said.
"Upon our arrival, we found a very hysterical tenant trapped in her lower unit," said North Conway Fire Chief Pat Preece. "We were able to retrieve her with no issues."
That person told rescuers another woman was in the first-floor apartment, but getting to her wasn't easy, Preece said.
"Chainsaws were used, moving debris inside the unit," he said.
Firefighters found the body of Joyce Roberge, 60, in the apartment. Preece said she was the only person in the building who suffered injuries, despite the damage in the area.
"There's trees that were snapped 20 feet up and just laying down everywhere, power lines, wires down, multiple locations throughout our community," Preece said.
An autopsy is being done to determine the exact cause of death.
Crews with New Hampshire Electric Co-op were working throughout the morning to restore power, but in some places, the trees had to be removed before the lines could be worked on. Preece said he was told it will be three days before the power is completely restored.
Preece said the National Weather Service is looking into what type of winds were responsible for the damage. In the meantime, a building inspector will determine whether it's safe for the tenants to retrieve their belongings.
