Melissa Neisler Lawrence Dies After Being Trapped Under a Tree on N. Gaston Street

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. – A tragic accident on Friday, September 27, claimed the life of 63-year-old Melissa Neisler Lawrence after she was trapped beneath a fallen tree. According to the Kings Mountain Police Department, officers responded to the incident on N. Gaston Street shortly after 10 a.m. following reports of a tree falling on two individuals.

Upon arrival, police and firefighters found two people trapped under the downed tree. One of the victims, identified as Paul Eugene Miller, was located and rescued by first responders. Miller, who sustained injuries, was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. His current condition remains undisclosed.

Unfortunately, the second individual, identified as Melissa Neisler Lawrence, was pronounced dead at the scene. Despite efforts by the emergency team to rescue her, Lawrence succumbed to her injuries before she could be freed from the debris. The cause of the tree’s fall has not yet been confirmed, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.

The Kings Mountain Police Department and local fire services were praised for their rapid response to the scene, but the incident has left the community in shock and mourning. Lawrence was a longtime resident of Kings Mountain, and her passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from family, friends, and neighbors.

As weather-related incidents involving fallen trees have been reported across the region, authorities are urging residents to be vigilant during extreme weather conditions and to report any trees that appear to pose a risk. The exact cause of the tree collapse on N. Gaston Street is still under investigation, and further details may emerge as officials continue to assess the scene.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Kings Mountain Police Department. Officials hope to determine whether environmental factors or other issues contributed to the tragic accident that claimed Lawrence’s life and left Miller injured.