An investigation is underway Thursday after an 8-year-old child was killed when a tree branch fell on a group of people at a camp at King Gillette Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains in an unincorporated area near Calabasas.
Five people were initially reported injured at Camp Wildcraft in the 26000 block of Mulholland Highway at around 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The child’s name and gender were not released.
A 9-year-old girl who broke her right leg and suffered an injury to her right hand was flown by helicopter to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Fox11 reported.
NBC4 reported another child was killed when the branch snapped off and struck a picnic table where the victim was sitting. The child was taken to a hospital, where they was later pronounced dead, KTLA 5 reported.
Two other people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, the department reported.
Aerial footage from the scene showed a large broken tree trunk at the scene.
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of a young child at a summer camp at King Gillette Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains,” a statement from the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which manages the 588 acres of public park land, said.
“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 statement said the authority is collaborating closely with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other relevant organizations to thoroughly investigate the matter, asserting it is committed to conducting a transparent and comprehensive investigation.
The camp is usually held in Pacific Palisades but was moved to the King Gillette Ranch because of the Palisades Fire, according to Fox11.