High School Senior Dies Days Before Graduation After Heavy Winds Cause Tree to Fall on Camper: ‘A Loss’

A high school senior from North Carolina who was just days away from graduation died over Memorial Day weekend after strong winds caused a tree to fall on a camper trailer.

The victim was identified as Kara Bryson, a senior at Tuscola High School in Haywood County, an organizer wrote in a GoFundMe fundraiser.

Clay County Emergency Medical Services said in a news release posted to Facebook on Tuesday, May 28, that Kara was visiting the area with friends when they encountered 50-70 mph winds on Monday. 

Authorities responded to the Penland Point Community and found "a deceased 18-year-old female inside the damaged trailer," the department said. They added, "A large tree had been up-rooted by heavy straight-line winds and landed on the portion of the trailer that housed the victim."

The GoFundMe campaign created to help Kara's family with "any expenses" described her as "a beautiful soul who was tragically taken too soon."

She was "pinned" as a Certified Nursing Assistant and "enjoyed working with the residents at Skyland Terrace," according to the organizer. "She planned on attending [Haywood Community College] in the fall and pursuing a degree in the medical field."

"Kara is loved by many especially by her mother, father, and 3 younger brothers!" the tribute added.

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The high school cheerleader was also mourned by her team on their Facebook page, in an update posted on May 27. "This is a loss," the Tuscola High School Mountaineers Cheerleading wrote.

They added, "A devastating loss. A tragedy to everyone, most importantly to her family and friends… but also a horrible loss to our cheer family…. We love you, Kara! Always a Tuscola Cheerleader. Always in our hearts. Forever missed!"

Kara and her best friend, Callie Parker, planned to get ready together on Friday, May 31, for graduation, just as they did for prom earlier this month, The Mountaineer reported.

Parker will now decorate an empty chair to honor Kara on the night of graduation, according to the outlet.

“There is going to be a spot missing, someone who worked hard their whole life to be there and now doesn’t have the opportunity," Chloe Thompson, a fellow high school senior and cheerleader, said, per The Mountaineer. "I think it is going to be hard for all of us."