Indian American woman killed by falling tree while hiking in Tennessee

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Indian American pediatrician Laila Jiwani was hiking with her husband and three sons on the Porter Creek Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee on December 27, 2017, when a tree fell on her and killed her.

According to a New York Post report, as high winds knocked down the tree, Jiwani sacrificed her life while shielding her 6-year-old son from the impact, who was airlifted to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Jiwani, 42, had been working at Cook’s Children Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, since 2007 and received her medical education at New York University School of Medicine, according to a Star-Telegram report.

“Dr. Laila Jiwani served thousands of children and their families over the last decade. She lived up to her oath doing all she could to heal her ill patients and promote their best health for a bright future. We are grateful to have worked beside her and to have known her genuine spirit and beautiful smile,” was written on the hospital’s website.

Jiwani’s son had to undergo surgery and was discharged from the hospital in time for the New Year, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Also, a missing GoPro, documenting Jiwani’s final moments, was found on an American Airlines flight.