Google Engineer, 29, Killed in Freak Accident After Falling Tree Branch Strikes Her on Yosemite Trail

A 29-year-old Google software engineer died in a tragic accident on July 19 while hiking in Yosemite National Park, after a large tree branch unexpectedly fell and struck her during a walk through one of the park’s most visited groves.

Angela Lin, an accomplished engineer who previously worked at Salesforce and had spent the last several years at Google, was hiking with her boyfriend and two friends in the Tuolumne Grove—known for its ancient giant sequoias—when the accident occurred.

According to her boyfriend, David Hua, the group had been enjoying the popular trail when they suddenly heard a loud crack overhead. Within seconds, branches from one of the massive trees came crashing down.

“One big branch struck Angela, and then there were a bunch of smaller ones directly behind me,” Hua told SFGate. “When I opened my eyes, Angela was lying on the ground with blood around her head.”

Hua immediately called 911 and began performing CPR. Park rangers arrived soon after, followed by an ambulance, but Lin was never transported. Emergency responders later told Hua that the impact from the falling branch likely killed her instantly.

“It was just unimaginable that something like this could occur—on such a popular trail, too,” Hua said.

The incident prompted park officials to close the Tuolumne Grove trail for about a week. Yosemite spokesperson Scott Gediman confirmed the accident is under investigation but has not yet released further details.

Hua said that Lin’s family and friends are still seeking answers from the National Park Service, especially regarding trail safety and the risk posed by unstable trees along high-traffic areas.

“We are asking for more transparency around tree monitoring and trail maintenance to help prevent tragedies like this in the future,” Hua said.

The sudden and shocking nature of the accident has also left bystanders deeply shaken. One tourist who was nearby during the incident posted on Reddit, desperate for information after witnessing the aftermath and trying to assist.

“I can’t stop thinking about it… They were doing nothing wrong or careless,” the post read. “Life can be so cruel.”

Lin’s death has stunned friends and colleagues in the tech community. Described as a bright, kind, and deeply talented engineer, Lin had built a promising career in Silicon Valley and was known for her passion for hiking and the outdoors.