Pasadena

Children Injured by Falling Tree Had ‘No Warning,' Witness Says

"We heard a crack and then I just caught a glimpse of the tree falling down," said a child at the park

A 75-foot tree uprooted and fell onto kids at a summer day camp in Pasadena Tuesday, injuring eight children, two of them critically, officials said.

The pine tree came crashing down about 4:45 p.m. as campers and their families were walking through Brookside Park outside the Kidspace Children's Museum, officials with the Pasadena Fire Department said.

"It's just such a huge tree — no warning," said witness Klea Scott. "Massive amounts of pine needles that we couldn't see if there were more people in there."

Witnesses said children ran in every direction as the 75-year-old tree fell.

"We heard a crack and then I just caught a glimpse of the tree falling down," said Andrew Aguiniga, a child at the park.

Two children were taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in critical condition and six others suffered minor injuries, city fire spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.

Derderian initially said at least one adult had been injured.

Aerial footage captured by NewsChopper4 showed two children on stretchers and an Urban Search and Rescue team using chainsaws to cut branches from the toppled tree as they searched for more possible victims.

A statement on the Kidspace Children's Museum website said all staff, campers, volunteers and guests were accounted for.

Thirty-three children ages 6 to 8 were enrolled in the summer camp, said Kidspace CEO Michael Shanklin.

An arborist will be called in Wednesday to determine why the tree fell, officials said.

Shanklin said the museum was expected to open Wednesday.

NBC4's Beverly White contributed to this report.

Contact Us