PUTNAM COUNTY (WABC) -- A man was hit and killed by a fallen tree branch while walking his dogs on the Putnam County Trailway on Monday afternoon amid gusty winds.

The trail is a popular spot for dog walkers, bicyclists and runners.

Monday's gusty winds proved too strong for a tree that sent a branch crashing across the trail, killing 62-year-old David Valdivia.

"There's a lot of dead and dying trees around and branches come down periodically and trees do fall down," Putnam Valley Resident Peter Porpiglia said.

Police responded to mile marker 53 in Brewster just afte 1 p.m. where they found the victim.

Valdivia had been struck in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Valdivia lived in Purdys and was walking his two dogs at the time of the accident.

He worked a

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