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Woman dies after strong storms knock down tree at Mountain Island Lake

At the time of the incident, there was a severe thunderstorm warning in the area.

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — One person died after a tree was blown down on Mountain Island Lake Sunday, according to the Gaston County Police Department. 

Gaston County Police said it happened July 5 around 2:30 p.m. on an uninhabited island on Mountain Island Lake. At the time of the incident, there was a severe thunderstorm warning in the area.

Due to severe weather in the area, occupants on a boat decided to seek shelter on the island. As the two individuals sought shelter on the island, a large tree uprooted and landed on one person. The victim was identified as 34-year-old Vanessa Owens Postell of Dallas.

Several people were on the island at the time of the severe weather, and they attempted to help the individual involved. Police said the victim died at the scene.

Several agencies in the Gaston County area responded to assist, including the Gaston County Police Department, North Carolina Wildlife, Gaston County Emergency Medical Services, Lucia Riverbend Volunteer Fire Department, Stanley Fire Squad and Mount Holly Fire Department. 

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