Falling Tree Causes Hiker's Death

High Winds are Blamed

Falling Tree Causes Hiker’s Death

On Thursday, December 11, 2014 at about 5:27 a.m., the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Pacific Crest Trail approximately one mile from the Mt. Ashland Ski Lodge for an injured hiker.   A caller, 18-year-old Alexander Crosby, reported he and his father, Phillip T. Crosby, 12/24/73, had been camping along the trail when a tree fell due to the high winds in the area.  The falling tree, of 8-10” in diameter, hit their tent and partially struck his father across the arm and chest and now his father was complaining of difficulty breathing.  A short time later the elder Crosby succumbed to his injuries.   The Crosby’s, formerly of Sunny Valley, but currently homeless, were in route to a destination in Arizona. 

A Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Medical Examiner and responded to the scene and pronounced the death.  The remains were taken by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home.  Ashland Fire and the Maslow Project assisted in this case.