Woman killed by falling tree limb

December 4, 2007 (WPVI) -- Marple Township police confirm that a woman died after a falling tree limb hit her.

The accident happened around 11:30 Monday morning on Crum Creek Road.

Police said 71-year-old Joanne Stefanide and her husband, James, were in the back yard doing yard work at the time.

Mr. Stefanide heard a loud thunk and turned around to see his wife lying unconscious on the ground. She was surrounded by a broken tree limb.

Mr. Stefanide called for help from his son, Ken, and he called the police.

Officers arriving on the scene administered CPR, but they were unable to revive her.

The medical examiner performed an autopsy and determined that Mrs. Stefanide died of multiple blunt force injuries.

Police said it was a terrible, unfortunate accident that could have happened to anyone during those fierce winds.

The family is asking for friends, relatives or whoever feels the need to please donate money to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia or to the SPCA instead of sending flowers.

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