Camper dies after tree falls on [tensile tent] in Cornwall

[Montemar]

Sad news, but wanted to share to keep us all aware of this danger:

A man has died after a tree fell on to his [tensile tent] at a country park in Cornwall.
The 25-year-old holidaymaker from Southampton had been camping at Tehidy Country Park in Camborne when the tree fell at 00:30 BST on Saturday.
He sustained serious head injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where he later died.
It is believed that he was staying with his family in a hammock tent suspended between trees.
Tehidy is the largest area of woodland in West Cornwall and is managed as a country park.

Further: http://bit.ly/cornwallaccident

[Shug]

It does happen. Every year.
Trees kill and injure many campers every year. Hammocks and in tents.
Sometimes when I am backpacking and look at all the downed trees and limbs it makes me aware that the woods are a chancy place.
Shug

[TrailBlaser]

Whether hanging or ground dwelling, I always have to remind myself to look up, not just down.

[alt.thomas]

It’s very sad indeed and tragic news like this will unfortunately be heard again.

After reading the article and seeing the photo, all speculation mind you, but points worth noting in site selection. The tree that appeared to fall down down looked already dead as there were no leaves. That plus using a tent hammock 9ft above ground with perhaps as many as 3-4 people would be unsafe as the force pulling the weakened tree would be enormous.

Be safe everyone.

[Snaps]

It’s very sad indeed and tragic news like this will unfortunately be heard again.

As sure as car accidents started to occur with increased frequency after everyone started buying cars... with hammocking gaining popularity, there are likely to be far more injuries related to hanging. Falling trees are just as dangerous to ground dwellers, but hammocks inherently bring trees within proximity and then add lateral forces to them.

All of this is obvious, I guess, but education on tree selection really is as important in the transition from tent to hammock as is exposure to knots, fabrics, and bling. With great comfort comes the need for great diligence... or something like that.

Hang safe.

[Tikker]

Sad news, but wanted to share to keep us all aware of this danger:

[I]A man has died after a tree fell on to his [hammock] at a country park in Cornwall.

they were also hanging 10 feet in the air apparently

[Ohoopee]

It does happen. Every year.
Trees kill and injure many campers every year. Hammocks and in tents.
Sometimes when I am backpacking and look at all the downed trees and limbs it makes me aware that the woods are a chancy place.
Shug

Great reminder video Shug.

Thank you.

[esmith]

It sounds like a tensile tent, do a google search on that term to see they are advertised by the manufacturer in photos as being excessively high in the trees.

Thanks Shug, Always an appropriate video. We really need to appreciate you more.

Stay safe out there everyone.

[Halfed]

Try to avoid to hang the hammock when is dark is also helpful.
Shug - I'll watch your video later. Thanks

[Montemar]

In the article you can notice that the reporter clearly has not been to the site. The picture appears to be a stock photo. And the height of the hang seems to be incorrect as well.
@esmith It may have been a tensile tent indeed. I've changed the topic title for clarity.
Either way, we always need to look up to select a site. Agreed that setting up camp in the dark is not helping with selecting a safe spot.

More people die on their couches with clickers or smartphones in hand. Indoor air plus blue light is not the way to spend a night...