Man Dies in Phoenix After Palm Tree Falls on Him

A man has died after a large palm tree fell on top of him in Highline Park in south Phoenix on Thursday, authorities said.

In an email to PEOPLE Friday, the Phoenix Police Department said that the incident took place near 12th Street and South Mountain Avenue.

"When officers arrived, they found a man stuck underneath a large, fallen palm tree. The fire department responded and cut the tree to free the man," the police said.

They added that the fire department cut the tree to free the man. However, according to police, the man died from his injuries at the scene.

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"Preliminary information suggests the man was walking in the park with another person when the tree fell on top of him. There were no serious injuries to the other individual," continued the police's statement to PEOPLE.

Police identified the victim as Ryen Zehner, 27.

What led the tree to fall is unclear, per ABC affiliate KNXV. Fox affiliate KSAZ reported strong winds in the Phoenix area when the incident happened.

Phoenix National Weather Service meteorologist Isacc Smith told KSAZ that windy conditions can lead to hazardous situations.

"It can certainly be dangerous, for sure," Smith said. "These stronger wind gusts can cause some of these maybe dead trees or something to blow down more easily."

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