PELHAM, N.H. (AP) - A 10-year-old boy who was standing among
about 20 other trick-or-treaters on Halloween night died after a
gust of wind toppled a birch tree onto him.

Christian Gualtieri of Pelham was in cardiac arrest when he was
rushed to a hospital Saturday night, authorities said. He died
later that night.

Police Lt. Gary Fisher called the crash a "freak accident" and
said he didn't think anything could have prevented Christian's
death. There was no indication that the tree, which sat on private
property, was a danger, Fisher said.

Wind gusts Saturday night reached 40 mph, according to the
National Weather Service.

"There is no rational explanation for this tragedy," said Sr.
Prescille Malo, principal of Ste Jeanne d'Arc School in Lowell,
Mass., a Catholic elementary school where Christian was a student.
"Christian was a compassionate boy who lived up to his name. His
smile was contagious and affability was his trademark."

"As a faith community we will deal with this challenge in
prayer and mutual support," Malo said in the statement. "Grief
counseling will be made available."

Christian was part of a group of about 20 children who planned
to go on a hayride through the neighborhood, Fisher said. But the
boy was standing by himself when the tree fell, Fisher said.

A memorial of flowers and notes surrounded the stump of the tree
Sunday. "We love and miss you Christian!" read one note attached
to a vase of flowers.

Christian's parents have an unlisted phone number in Pelham. A
message left Monday at his grandmother's home in Burlington, Mass.,
was not immediately returned.