Subhradeep Dutta made his love of the outdoors clear. Photos and check-ins at landmarks across the United States, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Rainier and Arizona's Horseshoe Bend peppered his Facebook page. On Simbi, a skill-sharing site, the 28-year-old listed a nice hike as among his top interests.
"I really enjoy traveling and exploring new places," wrote Dutta, a firmware engineer from Edina.
Dutta was visiting Muir Woods, another popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts just north of San Francisco, on Christmas Eve when tragedy struck. A 200-foot-tall redwood toppled without warning during a late afternoon hike, pinning him to the ground. He died at the scene.
A woman walking with the group was hit by branches and taken to a hospital for treatment, while a third hiker escaped unharmed, according to park officials.
A spokesman for the park said "wet ground from recent winter storms" may have contributed to what he described as a "very rare and isolated event."
"The National Park Service extends its thoughts and prayers to all those involved," spokesman Charles Strickfaden said. The incident at Muir Woods National Monument, a popular Northern California destination known for its abundance of centuries-old trees, made national news. Officials said the park, which attracts nearly a million visitors a year, would remain open to the public, save for a section of the trail where staff was still removing debris.
A spokesman declined to provide additional interviews or information about the victims, citing privacy concerns. Dutta's death was confirmed by the Marin County coroner. The identities of the two other hikers have not been released.
Few details about Dutta had emerged by late Thursday.
