STANDISH, Maine — With the family’s approval, the name of the 9-year-old girl killed by a falling tree during a severe thunderstorm near the Sebago Lake Family Campground in Standish was released by police Saturday.
Hallie Oldham of Poland was killed Thursday when a large pine tree uprooted by strong winds fell on the roof of the family’s car, Captain Donald Foss of the Cumberland County Sherriff's Office said in an updated press release Saturday. The family was getting ready to leave the campground to escape the storm when the tree fell on the car. Hallie’s mom and younger sister were also inside the car when the tree fell and killed Hallie.
Another tree fell on the awning of the Oldham’s camper and damaged the family’s other car.
“Given the extent of destruction surrounding the Oldham’s vehicles and their campsite, this horrific tragedy also proved to be a miracle that the rest of the family survived this incident, Floss said in the release. "The public safety community joins local communities in showing support for the Oldham family in their time of tremendous grief."
Friends of the Oldham family have set up a GoFundMe account for the family, according to Foss.
RSU 16 Superintendent Ken Healey and Assistant Superintendent Amy Hediger posted a letter to families in the Poland Community School district Friday, saying their student who died during Thursday's storm "will always be remembered for her smile and kindness to others."