Large tree in San Jose falls, kills man at Berryessa Creek Park

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- In San Jose a large tree fell killing an older man Monday afternoon at Berryessa Creek Park in San Jose.

Several neighbors say there was a concern at one point that some children may have been playing in the area. Now, one family is waiting to find out if their father who went out for a bike ride was the man killed.

Around 3:15 p.m. neighbor Dalia Rivas says the large tree branch falling made a thunderous sound.

"It was almost like an earthquake. You could hear something breaking and then a loud boom and then you could hear all the branches on the floor," Rivas said.

Another neighbor called 911. First responders say they quickly discovered a man who did not survive the tree's fall.

San Jose police spokesperson Rubens Dalaison said, "We were approached by a family who said that their father was out on a bike ride."

Not knowing whether he was the victim, police officers tried to comfort the family.

"So tragic, horrible to hear that your family member could have passed that way," Rivas said.

An arborist will examine the tree to see whether it was diseased.

"Right now it looks like it's a combination of many things," Dalaison said.

Police say some of the factors could include water by the roots, the tree's age and heavy winds.

In the meantime, the neighbors in the relatively quiet community along Berryessa Creek Park say their hearts go out to the victim's family.