LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. – An 8-year-old boy was killed and four others were hurt after the branch of an oak tree fell in their direction at a children’s summer camp in the Santa Monica Mountains near Calabasas.
What we know:
The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the call of a downed tree in the 26800 block of Mulholland Highway a little before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9.
Deputies from the LA County Sheriff’s Lost Hills Station responded to the scene as arriving deputies witnessed camp staff rendering aid to several people before paramedics took over. A short time later, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority said a young child died in the incident after he was taken to the hospital.
LA County Sheriff’s homicide investigators also said four others – two boys, a girl and two men – were hurt.
Details of those injured are as follows:
- An 8-year-old boy was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
- An 11-year-old girl was airlifted to an area hospital and sustained a broken leg.
- A 5-year-old boy sustained cuts and lacerations to his head.
- A 22-year-old man sustained abrasions to his head and bruising to his arm.
- A 73-year-old man suffered a concussion.
Investigators also revealed the five were standing under the oak tree, estimated to be between 25 and 30 feet tall, to get shade.
Those with information about the tragedy are asked to call the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
What we don’t know:
The incident happened at the site of a kids’ summer camp called “Camp Wildcraft.”
Officials have not released the identity of the child killed in Wednesday’s incident.
What they’re saying:
Below is a statement released by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) in response to the downed-tree incident:
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of a young child at a summer camp at King Gillette Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains. Words cannot express the depth of our sorrow. Our hearts are with the child’s family, friends, and all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy.
The safety and well-being of children and adults in our parks is, and always will be, our highest priority. We are working closely with Los Angeles County Sheriffs and appropriate agencies to understand exactly what happened, and we are fully committed to supporting a thorough and transparent investigation.
‘My heart goes out to the family at this overwhelming and devastating loss,’ said Joseph T. Edmiston, Executive Officer of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.
This is a profoundly difficult time for our entire MRCA community and the parks community of the Santa Monica Mountains. We grieve alongside the family and are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. We ask for compassion and privacy for the family as they navigate this loss.
We will share more information as it becomes appropriate and available.”
The Source: This report used information provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.
