A man in Queens was killed by a falling tree on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said, as heavy winds from Tropical Storm Isaias continued to pummel New York City.
According to police, a man in his 60s was sitting in his Dodge van on 84th Drive near Smedley Avenue in Briarwood, Queens when he was crushed by the falling tree. The victim was pronounced dead in his vehicle just after 1 p.m., an FDNY spokesperson confirmed.
The windshield of an NYPD vehicle at the scene was also damaged by a falling branch, police said. There were no injuries to the officer.
Dangerous wind gusts from Isaias have wreaked havoc across the five boroughs, downing several trees and knocking out power for more than 150,000 Con Ed customers.
Reports indicate that wind gusts reached between 70 to 80 miles per hour in the NYC area — believed to be the highest speeds since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
All above-ground MTA service has been suspended, as have Metro North and Long Island Railroad trains.
Video captured on Long Island shows Isaias toppling a tree in real time:
