On Saturday afternoon at about 3:30 p.m., a massive tree in the parking lot of the Cypress Hills Houses in East New York, Brooklyn, fell and struck Leighton Brown, a 56‑year‑old maintenance supervisor for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). The tree’s trunk struck Brown, and despite immediate attempts by nearby workers to administer CPR, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses describe the tragedy
Park worker Roy Worth, who was nearby, said a jogger may have seen the incident unfold. “There was a guy that was jogging and must have seen him, the guy under the tree and he was like, hurry and get the cones,” Worth recalled. He added that emergency responders performed CPR for 15‑20 minutes, but there was no way to save Brown.
Neighbors and friends described Brown as a dedicated employee who was looking forward to a promotion. “He was my good friend, short friendship but he was my good friend, we’d sit and talk for hours about life,” said Sam, a neighbor who lives across the street in Canarsie and saw Brown shortly before the accident. Sam recalled their last conversation: “I said ‘you going to come and give me a hand?’ and he said he had to go back to work again, asked for an extra shift.”
Community reaction
Tenants in the complex expressed shock and sorrow. Kevin Duran, another resident, said, “Broke my heart. He was a person who would come in without question and he did his job and he did his job well.” The incident has raised concerns about tree safety in the area, which is known for its large, mature trees.
Worth noted that the fallen tree was not the first to go down that day. “A nearby one fell around 9 a.m. Saturday. It’s scary because you don’t know which tree is going to fall and I’m here cleaning the parks, it’s very scary,” he said.
City response and safety measures
NYCHA officials have not yet released a detailed statement, but city agencies typically conduct safety inspections after such incidents. Residents are urged to report any hazardous trees or other safety concerns to the Department of Parks & Recreation or NYCHA’s maintenance hotline.
Local officials have previously emphasized the importance of regular tree assessments, especially after severe storms that can weaken root systems. The recent storm that swept through Brooklyn brought down thousands of trees across the borough, prompting citywide alerts for residents to stay clear of downed limbs and unstable trees.
How to stay safe
Authorities recommend the following steps for residents in areas with large trees:
- Report any visible cracks, leaning trunks, or dead branches to the appropriate city department.
- Avoid walking or standing directly beneath large trees during or after severe weather.
- Stay informed through local news and city alerts about storm damage and safety advisories.
The tragic loss of Leighton Brown underscores the need for vigilant tree maintenance and community awareness, especially in densely populated housing complexes where many families rely on safe public spaces.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
