Young Man Dies Crushed By A Tree

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

A young Kentucky dancer and high school student died Tuesday after a tree fell on her and her friend as they rested in a hammock.

According to reports from the Cincinnati television station WLWT5, Michelle Chalk was at the home of a friend sitting with her resting. Suddenly, one of the trees where the hammock was attached collapsed, crushing the 15-year-old girl. The friend was practically unscathed, but Chalk died "almost instantly," according to police.

Chalk was preparing to begin her studies at Highlands High School in a couple of weeks. For this reason, directors of said institution opened the doors of the school on Wednesday morning to provide emotional help to those in need.

Chalk was a dancer for the Cincinnati Ballet, where she performed the classic The Nutcracker. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Michelle, who was a vibrant and much-loved member of our young cast," artistic director Victoria Morgan told WCPO of her death. "She has danced in our Nutcracker every year since 2013 and most recently appeared as one of the Lead Soldiers in our 2016 production. Our condolences go out to Michelle's family during this difficult time."

The reason the tree collapsed is unknown, but the police have concluded their investigations, labeling the event as an "accident."