Donations Sought For Woman Paralyzed By Falling Tree Branch In Washington Square Park

Donations Sought For Woman Paralyzed By Falling Tree Branch In Washington Square ParkCui Ying Zhou. (Photo: GoFundMe)
Allie Pape
Published on August 23, 2016

A week and a half after a woman was struck and paralyzed by a falling tree branch in Washington Square Park, her family and friends are rallying to raise money for her medical expenses. 

Cui Ying Zhou, 36, was visiting the park with her 9- and 5-year-old daughters on August 12th when a 100-pound Canary Island pine tree branch fell from 50 feet onto her head. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

On the GoFundMe page, a relative, Mei Lei, says that Zhou sustained a fractured skull, and her spine was broken into two pieces. Doctors say she will never be able to walk again. 

Zhou was a stay-at-home mom, and her husband, Jian Cong Tan, has taken time off work to stay with her and their children. The family is seeking $50,000 to help with medical bills; as of this morning, they've raised $7,995. You can donate to Zhou and her family here

We'll have more on the trees in Washington Square Park and what the city is doing in the wake of Zhou's injury later this week.