Biltmore employee dies on the estate from falling tree during high winds April 1

An employee at Biltmore died on the estate April 1 after being hit by a falling tree during high winds, Biltmore said in a statement April 2.

"With deep sadness, we can confirm one of our employees was fatally injured Saturday afternoon, April 1, when a tree fell during a high wind gust," the statement said. "Buncombe County EMS and Asheville Fire and Rescue, along with our company police, responded."

As of the afternoon of April 2, Biltmore had not identified the victim.

The employee was struck by the falling tree on a paved walkway between Biltmore House and the parking lots, Biltmore spokesperson LeeAnn Donnelly said.

"This tragedy is devastating to all of us on the Biltmore team and we all feel the weight of this heartbreaking event," the statement said. "We are offering assistance to the family at this time and providing support to our employees who are impacted by the death of their friend and co-worker."

A high wind advisory was in effect most of the day April 1 for areas lower than 3,500 feet in elevation.

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The weather in Asheville on April 1 was "breezy to gusty" all day, said Ashley Rehnberg, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Greer, South Carolina. She said the stronger gusts blew through the area late in the afternoon and early in the evening.

The maximum wind speed recorded by the weather service at the Asheville Airport on April 1 was 45 mph at 5:26 p.m., Rehnberg said.

Biltmore lost power during the wind and closed late afternoon April 1 for the remainder of the day, it said in the statement.

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This was the second death at Biltmore from a falling tree over the last year. Casey Skudin, 45, a firefighter from New York City, died June 17 when a tree fell on his SUV on the Biltmore Estate while he and his family were visiting to celebrate his birthday and Father's Day.

Biltmore was open April 2.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Biltmore employee dies on the estate from falling tree amid high winds