The mother of the bride was the woman killed by a falling giant tree that smashed into a wedding party in a Whittier park, officials revealed Monday.
The tree, estimated to be 80 feet tall, toppled over at William Penn Park in the 13900 block of Penn Street about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Margarita Mojarro, 61, of San Pedro, died at a hospital. Neighboring residents and bystanders ran to the park, which is a popular photo-taking spot because of its mature trees, after hearing a loud “boom” followed by screams.
They found injured men and woman dressed in their wedding suits and gowns, covered in blood.8
“It sounded like literally a gunshot went off,” said Timothy Leuschner, who lives across the street from the park. “It was scary.”
Whittier police Lt. Bryan Ellis said a 4-year-old girl was hospitalized in critical condition with head trauma and a half-dozen other people were treated at a hospital for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The girl was the bride’s adopted niece, and remains in critical condition, ABC7 reported.
Penn Park is a location popular for weddings and photography, Ellis said. The wedding party was apparently posing for pictures at the time the tree fell.
The park has been closed indefinitely by the city until a certified arborist can determine what caused the tree to fall and evaluate other trees to ensure the public’s safety.
Authorities suspect a storm that dropped 1.85 inches of rain on Whittier last Thursday and Friday, copled with the lingering drought, caused the tree’s collapse.
—City News Service