SHEFFIELD, Pa. — A 15-year-old on a church camping trip was killed and four others injured by trees knocked over during severe storms in the Allegheny National Forest, a coroner and forest officials said.
Alexis Turner, of New Brighton, was killed Tuesday morning, Warren County Coroner Jerry Borden told the (Warren) Times Observer for Wednesday's editions.
It happened in the forest's Minister Creek Campground, about 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, where three counselors and 15 children from Pine Valley Camp in Ellwood City were on a hiking and camping trip.
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Borden, who did not answer repeated calls Wednesday, told the newspaper that two of the injured were taken to Warren General Hospital and two others to a hospital in Cleveland. The injuries ranged from mild to severe, and that those hurt included counselors and campers, Borden said.
Authorities did not release the names of the other victims. Forest spokeswoman Ruth Sutton referred calls to Pine Valley Camp. Officials there didn't return calls for comment Wednesday.
Pine Valley Camp's website describes the organization as a Christian camp for underprivileged children.
"There was a series of thunderstorms that came through," Rich Hatfield, the forest's Bradford District Ranger, told the newspaper. "With high winds, a couple of trees came down."
National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Dangelo said the storms packed wind gusts of 65 to 70 mph "just as strong as you would have in a very weak tornado."
Forest officials continued to investigate Wednesday, and were trying to retrieve the personal effects the campers had left behind.
In the meantime, funeral arrangements for Turner have been set for this weekend.
Visitation will take place Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Simpson Funeral Home in Monaca, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
The funeral service will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls.
This article was written by The Associated Press.