Ohio photographer killed by falling tree branch at state park, officials say

A woman died Monday after she was struck by a falling tree branch at an Ohio state park, authorities said.

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According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Victoria Schafer, 44, of Chillicothe, died at Hocking Hills State Park, WCMH reported. Officials said Schafer was standing on the stairs near Old Man's Cave around 5:30 p.m. when she was struck by the branch, the television station reported.

Schafer was a professional photographer who owned her own business, the Chillicothe Gazette reported.

“I have fond memories of my personal friendship and professional relationships with Victoria. Our professional relationship really helped me regain my love of photography and I will always be thankful for that," Gary Best, who worked at Victoria Schafer Photography for two years, told the newspaper. "I will miss her.”

Alexander Cristin Colson, 22, died at the park in August after falling about 75 feet from a cliff, WBNS reported. In June, the body of Dana M. Busson, 55, was found at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, according to the television station.