Tree Falls On Van, Kills Man Inside Near Portola Valley

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A man died Tuesday after a tree crushed his van as high winds associated with the latest atmospheric river swept through the Bay Area. According to the California Highway Patrol, 911 callers reported a tree onto a vehicle shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Alpine Road, west of Interstate 280, just outside Portola Valley in unincorporated San Mateo County.

A CHP spokesperson told Patch that first responders located a large tree on a van and worked quickly to remove several branches that were blocking access to the vehicle. Once they were able to get inside, they reached the van's lone occupant — an unidentified man who was pronounced dead at the scene.

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According to The Mercury News, a photographer at the scene reported the victim was driving a work vehicle belonging to a local plumbing company.

Investigators determined the van was headed east toward I-280 when the tree fell. Officers recorded several other downed trees in the area and opted to keep Alpine Road closed in both directions until further notice. There was no estimated time for reopening as of late Tuesday afternoon.