Family and friends are mourning the loss of an eight-year-old Susquehanna County boy. The child was hit by a tree limb while Sandy was moving through the Twin Tiers. Our Melissa Kakareka was in Susquehanna County to find out how the neighborhood is reacting to the loss.

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SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, Pa. -- Residents on Bronson Hill Road say they saw fire trucks and an ambulance come into their remote neighborhood in Susquehanna County Monday evening. But they didn't find out until later on that eight-year-old Matthew Stahl had died.

State Police in Gibson say that the boy and his father were outside of their home at 534 Bronson Hill Road around 5:30 p.m. Monday. While Stahl’s father was retrieving groceries from a neighbor, Stahl ran to check on calves that the family is raising. While Stahl was returning to the house, a strong gust of wind caused a limb to break from a tree. That limb fell and struck the boy causing fatal injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbors say they were shocked to find out what happened and are sending their condolences to their neighbors.

"It was kind of sad that he lost his life. He had his whole life ahead of him yet, only eight-years-old and I feel sorry for the family,” neighbor Chris Meyer said.

The family has designated Pastor Robert Kadlecik from the Bridgewater Baptist Church as the family spokesperson. Stahl and his family were members of the church. He says that Stahl was a passionate young boy who was full of energy. The family will be accepting donations for a memorial fund through the Community Fund of Susquehanna County.