Vidyut Nautiyal Of San Jose Killed By Falling Tree In Cupertino Park

SAN JOSE, CA – Vidyut Nautiyal was hiking in Cupertino’s Rancho San Antonio Park with her teenage son and his Boy Scouts troop on March 5 when a tree fell on her without warning, killing her on the spot.

A resident of San Jose, Nautiyal, 44, was hiking on the “PG&E Trail” with her 17-year-old son. Those present told rescuers that Nautiyal had hesitated in protecting herself trying to ensure first that her son was safe.  

Those present told the media that they had rushed to lift the heavy log at least a bit so Nautiyal could breathe till first responders reached the spot. That was no easy task either, for the rescue team had to use ATVs to get to the slushy trail.

Park rangers are urging visitors to use caution on trails, which they say continue to be impacted by the unprecedented storms California has undergone. Wet soil has loosened root systems.

San Jose State University officials said Nautiyal graduated from that university in 2009 with a master’s degree in nutritional science.