WIND WARNING

Woman Killed by Flying Solar Panel in Freak Storm Accident

A powerful wind ripped down a solar panel from a roof, killing a woman when it crashed to the ground about 20 feet away.

A 76-year-old woman was killed in a freak accident after a solar panel was knocked loose by powerful winds and landed on her head. Video footage captures the moment a massive solar panel was torn from the roof of a parking lot in Coney Island, Brooklyn, and flew 20 feet before it struck Lyudmila Braun in the head as she walked down the sidewalk, killing her. “We just hope that it doesn’t happen to anybody else again. That’s the most important thing. Safety first,” Braun’s grieving son told CBS News. “We’re destroyed right now. We’re at a loss for words.” Adam Rubenstein, who lives nearby, said, “Hopefully nobody else gets hurt, let alone dies, because this is crazy. My uncle lives in this building. I live in the next building, and it could’ve been anybody.” The damage came from a powerful nor’easter that battered New York City with 40mph winds over the weekend, putting city officials on high alert. As of Monday, the Parks Department said it had received 265 reports of fallen trees, resulting in at least 12 road closures. “It was a disgusting accident that never should have happened,” Rubenstein added.