The Chainlink

Woman on bicycle struck by falling tree during heavy storms

Sept.5, 10:15 p.m. from Sun-Times news media wire:
Winnetka: A bicyclist was critically injured Friday afternoon when a tree fell on her during a thunderstorm in a north suburban forest preserve.
About 3:40p.m., A 45 -year-old woman was riding a bike through a storm on Forest Preserve Trail in Erickson Woods near I-94 and Willow road when a tree fell on her, Cook County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari said.
The woman's husband was with her and called 911, Ansari said. She was taken to the hospital, were she was listed in critical condition Friday night.
A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for Chicago and suburbs until 9 p.m. Friday night.

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Terrifying. We had several large trees come down on our block in last Monday's storm, including one that destroyed a solid brick porch wall, and they were acutely in my mind when I got caught in the storm yesterday. I hope she recovers.

Michael-- thank you for this sad info and I am very sorry about your friend.

Michael B said:

Unfortunately she died this morning. Her name was Molly Glynn and she leaves behind 2 sons as well as her husband. She was a well known actress in Chicago & someone I had the privilege to know & call my friend.

Michael B. , I am so sorry. May I extend my deepest sympathy to her family, and her friends. Rest in peace, Molly Glynn.
Life is cruel at times , that we as humans, have no reason to understand.
This is truly frightening. I've ridden through storms like this myself all the time and as long as there is no lighting I've never been concerned fory safety in the past. It's exhilarating to me. I was caught in a storm in the forest preserve just the other week not too far from where this tragedy occurred and kept riding for a few miles until the lighting came before finding a park shelter to ride it out.

Our lives can be so fragile when we go up against the fury of nature. I feel for the poor guy who lost his wife like that right in front of him. I hope he has a good support system of chosen family and friends to help him through this.
There is a GiveForward campaign called the Molly Glynn Memorial Trust.

"Live your life. " Lucius Snow (Early Edition)

I found out about the tragedy on a yahoo article today.  I have watched a few episodes of Chicago Fire as I remembered seeing Molly in it.  I was caught out in a similar storm last month on my club's annual ride. Heavy downpour, strong wind and lightning.  A riding buddy and I were on a route out in the country and had to pull off the road and took shelter under 3 oak trees, which is the worst place to be during a thunderstorm.  But we had no options.  Waited 30 minutes for the storm to subside.  The whole time I am praying please no lightning. 

I'm sorry for your loss.

Michael B said:

Unfortunately she died this morning. Her name was Molly Glynn and she leaves behind 2 sons as well as her husband. She was a well known actress in Chicago & someone I had the privilege to know & call my friend.

Yeah. Lightening isn't your main enemy on a bike in a storm, it's the wind and debris.  I had some friends almost hit by a BIG falling tree branch while fleeing a squall when they were out on the beach a few years back. Check the weather like an old sailor, and try to get to cover if you do get caught out. 

And this is really sad.  Condolences to the family and friends. 

CNN reported about this today...so sad.

Her widower's been Facebooking.  Makes a touching read.

"My dearest friend Derrick Nelson picked up our bikes for me today. I am sorry I didn't warn him. Molly's bike is as broken as she was. He was devastated. But I've asked him to keep it. I need to see it again and mourn. I may use parts of it to make a tribute statue for Molly Glynn and ask to put it near the spot. I am going to combine parts of it with my bike to make a new bike to ride in her honor. To remember. I need to own this, and not let it own me."

...

Touching, and sad.

I hope the Forest Preserve District works with him and lets him put up a shrine nearby in her honor. 

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