An elderly man was tragically killed in Hanover, Massachusetts, when a violent storm uprooted a tree that crashed onto his trailer. The 89-year-old, identified as Robert Horky of Hingham, was inside the vehicle at the time of the incident when the adverse weather took a deadly turn. According to the Plymouth District Attorney's Office, the emergency call regarding the fallen tree on the small travel trailer at 99 Industrial Way came in at approximately 9:47 a.m. Monday, CBS Boston reported.
Responding quickly to the 911 call, Hanover police and fire department personnel worked to extricate Horky, who sustained severe injuries from the impact. Despite efforts to save him, Horky succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at South Shore Hospital. District Attorney Tim Cruz, in a statement obtained by NBC Boston, disclosed that the area experienced "heavy rainfall and high wind gusts" both before and during the calamitous event. These gusts were strong enough to forcefully bring down trees across the state, causing significant destruction and nearly 300,000 power outages in Massachusetts alone, NBC Boston reported.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the storm, those who knew Horky remember him fondly. Bill Thissell, a friend of Horky, described him as someone who took care of his neighborhood. "He was a great guy, and he took care of this whole neighborhood over here," Thissell said in a statement to CBS Boston. Similarly, Bill Thistle, a tenant of Horky's, spoke highly of the man, reflecting on the kindness he displayed over their decade-long relationship. "He was a great man. He was nice to us all the time, a great landlord," Thistle told WCVB in an interview.
While many in the Hanover area are now beginning to repair and mourn, the District Attorney's Office has confirmed that the investigation into Horky's death is ongoing. Cruz's office has yet to release further details surrounding the circumstances of the tragedy. The death toll from the storms highlights the peril that such severe weather events can impose on communities, especially on the most vulnerable, such as the elderly. Tragedy notwithstanding, the death of Robert Horky is a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable might and the importance of preparedness in the face of its potential wrath.
