Tragedy on the Trail: Young Google Engineer Killed by Falling Branch at Yosemite
On a quiet summer day in Yosemite National Park, what was meant to be a peaceful hike through nature’s grandeur turned into an unimaginable tragedy.
Angela Lin, a 29-year-old software engineer known for her brilliance and calm spirit, lost her life in a sudden and tragic accident on July 19. A native of California’s tech corridor, Lin had built a promising career over six years at major tech companies including Salesforce and Google. On that fateful day, she was hiking with her boyfriend and two friends along the Tuolumne Grove trail—a popular route famed for its ancient, towering sequoias.
As the group made their way through the grove, the atmosphere was calm. The forest was still. There was no storm, no warning. Then, suddenly, a loud crack echoed above them.
David Hua, Lin’s longtime partner and a fellow UC Berkeley graduate, recalled the sound that shattered the serenity. Within seconds, several heavy branches from one of the giant sequoias came crashing down. One of them struck Angela.
Hua remembers instinctively shutting his eyes as the branches fell. When he opened them, the world had changed. Lin lay face-up, unmoving, with blood pooling around her head. Despite his immediate efforts to resuscitate her—calling 911 and performing CPR until a park ranger arrived—emergency responders later confirmed she had likely died instantly.
“It’s just unimaginable that something like this could happen,” Hua told reporters, his voice shaking with grief. “Especially on such a well-traveled and maintained trail.”
In the aftermath of the accident, Yosemite National Park temporarily closed access to Tuolumne Grove. Authorities launched an investigation, though as of now, the details surrounding the cause of the branch fall remain unclear. Park officials have yet to release a public statement regarding the incident.
Lin’s family and loved ones, searching for answers in the midst of their grief, are calling for more transparency and communication from the park service. They hope to better understand the conditions that led to the accident—and to advocate for safety improvements to prevent future tragedies.
“We’re asking the park service to examine trail maintenance protocols and increase awareness of potentially dangerous trees,” Hua said. “We’re not looking to place blame. We just want to help make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
The suddenness and seeming randomness of the tragedy have haunted not just those closest to Lin, but also bystanders who witnessed the scene or arrived moments later. One traveler, who was nearby when the accident happened, took to Reddit in a desperate attempt to find answers.
“I’ve been haunted by what I saw,” the person wrote. “They weren’t doing anything wrong or reckless. Just walking. Life can be so cruel.”
Although extremely rare, accidents involving falling trees or branches have occurred at Yosemite before. In 2023, a college student tragically fell from the Half Dome cables during a storm. In another incident, an Australian hiker was struck and killed by a falling tree on the Four Mile Trail. In 2015, two teenagers were fatally injured when a limb fell onto their tent. Each of these incidents serves as a reminder of nature’s power—even in places carefully curated for public enjoyment.
But Angela Lin’s death stands apart. There was no weather event. No off-trail exploring. No risk-taking. Just a woman walking through a national park she loved, surrounded by friends and the gentle stillness of summer trees.
“Angela was the most cautious person I’ve ever known,” Hua shared. “She always stayed on the trails. She was mindful, respectful of nature, and never took risks. That’s what makes this so devastating. This shouldn’t have happened.”
Lin was widely admired by those who knew her—both personally and professionally. At UC Berkeley, she built lasting friendships, remembered fondly for her intelligence, warmth, and humility. Ian Cook, who met her in their dorm, recalled, “Angela was obviously brilliant, but she led with kindness. She made people feel at ease. That’s a rare gift.”
Colleagues echoed that sentiment. Research scientist Richard Zhang, who worked with Lin in her undergraduate lab, remembered her generosity and determination: “She stayed through the late nights before our paper deadlines, always thoughtful. She’d bring us chocolate to keep our energy up. That was Angela—always caring, always present.”
After completing her master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin, Lin joined the Bay Area’s tech industry and quickly became a respected engineer. Google, where she had most recently worked, released a statement mourning the loss of “a loved and respected member of our team.”
“We’re deeply saddened by this tragedy,” a spokesperson said. “Our hearts are with her family and everyone who knew her.”
Angela Lin’s death leaves behind not just sorrow, but a call to action—a reminder that even in the most beautiful places, vigilance and transparency matter. Her family and friends now hope her story leads to meaningful change, and that no one else loses their life to a preventable danger while simply enjoying the natural world.
For those who knew her, the loss is profound. But they remember her with gratitude—for the light she brought to their lives, for her quiet strength, and for the legacy she leaves behind.
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Original reporting by Taylor Herzlich via NY Post