At least two children were hospitalized at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in critical condition Tuesday after a 70-foot tree fell down outside the Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena. A third child was brought to the hospital by a grandparent and was listed in good condition.
Five other children suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, according to Lisa Derderian with the Pasadena Fire Department.
The 75-year-old pine tree came down around 4:50 p.m. in a grassy area near the entrance to the museum, according to fire officials.
“All of the sudden I hear this cracking noise and then I turn around and I saw this big tree just all of the sudden fall down,” said witness Greg Prodigalidad. “And I saw all the little kids just run.”
Groups of children regularly attend summer day camp at the museum, located at 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., according to the museum’s website.
This week, 33 campers between the ages of 6 to 8 were attending the sold-out Water Wonders Camp, museum officials said.
Aerial video from Sky5 showed a triage area set up near the fallen tree where youngsters were being accessed and treated.
“At the time of the incident there were Kidspace staff, volunteers, and campers, as well as the general public in the vicinity,” according to a statement from the museum.
Rescuers could be seen cutting away tree branches looking for other possible victims, but none were found.
The injured children were day campers who were waiting for their parents to pick them up in Brookside Park, according to Tim Schidler with the Kidspace Children Museum.
“Honestly, it was the worst,” said witness Klea Scott, who was visibly upset.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those injured as well as all those who witnessed this frightening incident. We wish everyone a speedy and complete recovery,” said Michael Shanklin, Kidspace CEO.
No other information about the injured children was released.
Fire officials initially reported that one of those injured by the tree was an adult, but later confirmed that all of the victims were children.
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