Alabama Student Killed in Hammock Camping Disaster

Conservative News DailyApril 11, 2025

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A tragic camping accident claimed the life of 22-year-old Malachi Crain, a senior at the University of Alabama, on April 5.While camping in Georgia with friends, a tree fell on Crain’s hammock as they slept, resulting in his death. One other camper sustained minor injuries. Crain was known for his active involvement in his church and was loved by peers and faculty alike. Father Tom Ackerman praised him for living a life full of love and service. The Bama Catholic community described him as the Vice President of Liturgy and noted his dedication to mentoring others. the accident highlights the dangers associated with hammock camping, especially regarding tree stability. Crain’s funeral was held in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina.

A student at the University of Alabama was killed in a camping accident, leaving the campus in a state of shock.

The 22-year-old senior, Malachi Crain, was a math and computer science major before his death on April 5. At the time of the accident, Crain was in neighboring Georgia, according to WBRC.

Crain and his friends were camping in hammocks when the deadly disaster struck.

Crain and his three friends, all in separate hammocks, were asleep when a tree came crashing down on the group. While Crain was killed, only one other camper was “slightly injured.”

The fall happened just after 2 a.m.

“What I tell people is the fullness of life is not measured by the length of years but the love they lived their life with,” Father Tom Ackerman of the St. Francis of Assisi university parish, told WBRC.

“By that measure Malachi lived a full life.”

Ackerman explained that Crain was active in student church life, often taking lead roles in important matters.

He said it was “obvious” that Crain greatly loved God, his family, and his fellow students.

The Bama Catholic community announced the student’s death in a post.

“He was the Vice President of Liturgy for 2024 and was known for his love of altar serving,” the post stated.

“He led a bible study and was discipling other men in our community for over two years.”

Camper killed by tree falling on his hammock was University of Alabama senior on trip with Catholic ministry members https://t.co/SDQapkXAmI pic.twitter.com/Zdb0g0DShO

— New York Post (@nypost) April 9, 2025

Hammock camping carries all the dangers of camping in a tent, with a few added considerations, as well.

Trees, which hold all the force of a hammock in use, can come toppling down if diseased or shallowly rooted. Dead or rotting trees also present a deadly hazard if used as an anchor.

Even solid trees can present deadly problems.

One danger, more frequently talked about in the forestry industry, is the fatal widowmaker. These can be branches, snapped crowns of trees, or other hazards lodged in the limbs of a tree. While many appear stuck fast, even a slight wind can push them into a deadly downward fall.

According to law firm Plevin & Gallucci, hammock accidents are not exactly uncommon.

“In 2017, a Massachusetts woman sued ENO when one of the hammock’s supports, a brick chimney, collapsed on her leaving her paralyzed,” the firm wrote in a post about the dangers of hammocks. “ENO was sued under similar circumstances in May 2016 when a 13-year-old Iowa girl died after a brick column bearing the weight of the hammock fell on top of her.”

“In two additional instances during the spring of 2016, a Connecticut girl and an Arkansas woman died when the trees to which their hammocks were attached collapsed. On May 21, 2017, another victim, a 15-year-old Georgia girl, was killed in the same manner.”

Crain’s funeral was held in his native Greenville, South Carolina, on Thursday.