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Police: Pelham 5th grader's death a freak accident
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By DERRICK PERKINS
Union Leader Correspondent
Monday, Nov. 2, 2009
PELHAM – Christian Gualtieri was waiting for fellow trick-or-treaters to catch up with him on the road near 14 Fineview Circle when a strong gust of wind toppled a birch tree onto him Saturday night, police said.
The 10-year-old was rushed to Saints Memorial Medical Center in Lowell, Mass., where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
"It was a freak accident," Lt. Gary Fisher said yesterday. "I don't think there was anything anyone could have done."
Pelham police and fire responded after a neighbor heard the crash and dialed 911 about 6:35 p.m.
Christian was part of a group of about 20 children on a hayride through the neighborhood trick-or-treating. He was standing alone when the tree fell, the lieutenant said. No one else was injured.
The youngest of two brothers, Christianlived on a neighboring street, though police would not provide an address. Pelham police have posted an officer at the home to protect the family's privacy.
They're doing the best they can given the circumstances, Fisher said.
By yesterday morning, neighbors had cut up and carted off the fallen birch from Fineview Circle. All that remained was a streak of sawdust, a bouquet of flowers on the stump, and a handwritten note that read: "We love and miss you Christian."
Christian was a fifth-grader, though not a student at Pelham Elementary School. Frank Bass, superintendent of Pelham schools, said the boy attended a nearby private school in Massachusetts.
A bouquet and a note mark the spot where Christian Gualtieri of Pelham was killed Saturday night. (DERRICK PERKINS)
"The boy was in the presence of as many as 20 other students, many of whom go to Pelham Elementary," Bass said. "I'm sure they're in a state of shock as we are. We've put everybody on notice and we're going into this as if he was one of our students. We'll be in touch with the family to express our regret and sorrow."
Counseling services will be made available to Pelham students throughout the day today, Bass said.
"We'll do everything we can to support (the family and friends)," he said. "I know the Pelham community will band together."
Selectman Douglas Viger said town officials have discussed the tragedy. Some sort of memorial service will be held, but the board will take its cues from the family, Viger said.
Police have wrapped up their investigation, Fisher said. The tree was on private property and "somewhat rotting" but no charges are expected, he said.
After an unusually warm and sunny autumn day, Fisher said officials were surprised when powerful winds arrived as trick-or-treating got under way.
Pelham's scheduled trick-or-treating hours of 5 to 8 p.m. saw gusts of wind that reached 40 mph at times, according to the National Weather Service.
"We didn't expect anything like this to occur," Fisher said.
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YOUR COMMENTS
Dear Charlie,Nancy+family
Our hearts are full of saddness for you all.You absolutely have all the prayers sent your way,Nancy you gave me a candle holder at family reuniun I will keep it burning in Christians memory.We love you guys.God Bless and may Mary wrap her cloake around Christian.your cousin Terri+Dunk
- terri brundle, st,johnsbury,vt
I had a similar accident like that to myself and it was scary a dead tree branch fell on me and I was lucky that only the twigs hit me so it wasn't horrible. My greatest sympathies to all that were affected!!
- Joe, Lincoln Nebraska
Lisa,
I am so sorry. I remember all the funny stories you told us about Christian when were were hanging out together on the Cape several years ago. He was such a big part of your life and you gave so much love to him. I don't know what to say. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Jen Mathews
- Jennifer Mathews, Melrose, MA
A truly heartbreaking ending to an innocent night of neighborhood fun.... my deepest sympathy to the Gualtieri family and a special hug for Christian's brother who has to process what adults cannot. My family and I are so very sorry for this painful loss and wish you healing in time.
- Kathy, Pelham
I sympathize with the family involved in such a tragic accidental death. And it was just that...an accidental death.
To those of you implying otherwise and suggesting legal implications, you should be horse whipped and hung out to dry. You are the scourge of the earth and don't deserve anyone's time of day.
To the media who continue to whip this accident into a psychological crisis and imply other yet to be named implications - you also need to get a life and find another story.
You know, I feel sorry for the family whose land is near or on the memorial with flowers and all such stuff being placed without their approval and probably causing them much additional grief that they don't need. But then, you didn't think of that, did you?
- Sandy, Thornton
My thoughts and prayers go out to the parents of Christian. Please don't try to figure out why this happened. I too lost a daughter in 2006 to a falling tree during a storm in NH. I don't know if you believe in God or not but it's my belief that Christian is now in a better place. Hold on to his memories and you will find joy deep inside. The loss of a child is by far the hardest to understand. I hope you understand you are not alone with your grief. Peace be with you.
- Jeff, Auburn
Lisa, Chuck & Charles,
I am so sorry for your loss. Christian was such a sweet, gentle caring boy. I will miss him as I am sure everyone who knew him will. My deepest sympathies go out to you and my thoughts are with you always.
Love,
Lisa and family
- Lisa Brouillette, Dracut, MA
My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the Gualtieri family for their tragic loss.
- Jeff, Pelham
My thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved in this terrible, terrible accident.
Ken: Bad Form!
- Kimberly, Manchester, NH
Just because there's some rot evident, doesn't mean a tree in in imminent danger of falling. I had a dead poplar standing for nearly a year before I brought it down, and while it shed the smaller twigs and branches, the trunk was still three quarters sound.
Birches, despite being the State Tree, are horribly deceptive buggers. They can be dead, and sound all the way through, or they can look like they are alive, yet be rotten to the core. Usually, once damaged, they start to rot like an uncontrolled diabetic with gangrene; but take a couple of years to completely die.
Don't blame the landowner in this case. He or she might not have known how bad the tree was, or had plans for it that nature and God jumped the gun on him. The poor kid wasn't disabled, and the tree wasn't deliberately aimed and timed. I'm sorry it happened, but that counts as much as an accident as anything in the world.
- Michael D. Houst, Barrington, NH
To the Gualtieri's
My deepest condolences
your old neighbor
Ed Chapdelaine
- Ed Chapdelaine, Burlington MA
I am so so very sorry for you loss , words cannot express how sorry i feel.
- jim, goffstown
So awful, but I am okay with Ken's comments. In fact I find it a little more out of line to compare the price of removal with safety. My heart goes out to everyone involved, but it is something we need to pay attention to.
- nancy, massachusetts
Are you people rediculous! Is this more about Ken or the poor boy that got killed? I believe he was just trying to express his opinion. But as usual, all the people eating there bon-bons have nothing better to do but criticize someones opinion. SHAME on ALL of you! Thoughts and prayers are with my both of my neighbors families at this time of sorrow.
- brian, Mike
Deeply saddened for all involved. I pray for your peace and healing.
I will have Christian in my heart as I search my property for rotting trees.
- Kat, Manchester
Ken, this isn't a situation where the homeowners are at fault at ALL.
The WIND was terrible, and the tree would not have fallen if it wasn't for the wind.
Who should we blame for the wind?
It is a tragic accident, and unfortunately accidents happen. Someone posted yesterday already about suing the homeowners. GIVE ME A BREAK.
Let this family deal with the death of their loved one and stop pointing fingers.
- m1e1b1s1, Claremont, NH
My prayers go out to the Gualtieri Family. This was a tragic ACCIDENT, emphasis on the "accident" part. For those of you who are blabbing on about "cutting down trees" - have any of you gotten a price recently on tree removal? If you want to send a couple of thousand bucks my way to remove a few dead trees in my yard, feel free. I'll be using my own money to scrape by and pay the mortgage.
- JMR, Bedford
I was horrified to hear of this accident. My thoughts and prayers go out to this little boys families and friends and to the whole community. I can not imagine what this family must be going through, as well as the children that were there to witness this horrific accident. May happy memories of Christian comfort you all at this time.
- Stephanie Levine, Stoneham MA
I am very sorry for the loss of this little boy to such a freak accident. Everyone's thoughts are with the family at this tragic time. As for Ken of Goffstown, shame on you for even suggesting the homeowners should have been looking at their land for rotting trees. Is that what you do?
- Teri, Concord, NH
People like Ken of Goffstown have to always prove that even in the eyes of tragedy, someone has to come along and be "controversial". I put that in quotations because they're really just being senseless, stupid, and careless.
- Bill, Manchester
Get a life Ken. Once you take down any "dangerous" tree on your property, give the rest a call. And while your at it, make sure you remove any rock someone could roll an ankle on, any root someone could trip on, and any loose piec of dirt that could blow into someon'e eye's. The day you become perfect is the day I would love to hear from you again. The only one at fault, is mother nature. Best wishes to the family.
- Phil, Laconia
Having a son the same age, this story really touched me deeply, my husband and I both were brought to tears watching the news on Halloween night.. I cannot imagine what this family is going through right now. I'm so sorry for their loss and am praying for them.
- LD, Manchester, NH
Ken, what is your problem? There have obviously been countless windstorms in the past year or two that didn't take this tree down.
Poor taste dude.
- Brian, Claremont
Thank you all for you thought of my cousin son, the family and I appreciate you all taking you time out to write. It is a sad time for our family right now and forever. He was a good boy full of life he will be very missed.
- Wendi, Concord, NH
Really Ken?
A horrible, accidental death and you're blaming the owners of the property because the tree was "Somewhat Rotting". I see a post like this and it angers me more then the incident itself. That's why it is called an accident.
- Bob Watson, Manchester
Seriously Ken, we don't need any lectures right now.
- Tammy, Manchester
Our thoughts and prayer go out to this family. I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. It brings tears to my eyes when I read storys like this involving children out to have a fun day.
Again I am very sorry.
Shirley
Alburg VT
- Shirley from Alburg VT, Alburg VT
His family is in our hearts and prayers! I imagine it's even more difficult because this was such a freak accident.
Bless your young, sweet little soul Christian.
- Krysten, Bedford, NH
VERY SAD!!! This did not have to happen. I am in no way blaming this on the home owners because I am sure they feel terrible as it is. Although, a tree does not rot like this overnight! Open your eyes people, I think everyone should take a look at there trees around their property and get rid of the dead or dangerous ones. They are not going to go away and they are not going to come down by themselves in a safe way. This particular tree could have even been taken down by the home owners themselves in the position it was in. If not, get a pro to do it. Don't wait for another freak accident like this one to happen! This was only a little wind gust. Imagine how many more will come down in a real storm! Thoughts and prayers are with you Gualtieri family.
- Ken, Goffstown
What a horrific end to such a fun filled day. My prayers go out to all who saw this happen and to all who are affected by this.
- Tracy, Manchester
Please cut down dead trees on your property. It may cost you a bit of money, or time, but falling dead trees are dangerous.
- Jack, Auburn
Such a senseless death. I'm so sorry for the family of this little boy.
- Jim, Manchester
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