Three individuals were sent to the hospital with varying degrees of injury on Friday afternoon following a tree collapse in Orange, Massachusetts. The incident, which occurred around 4 p.m. on Maple Street, appears to have been a result of the severe weather conditions that have been impacting the region. According to a statement by the Orange Fire Department, acquired by WHDH, one of the victims is in critical condition.

The first responders, having to navigate the complications of high winds from the tail of storm Debby, found themselves unable quickly to assemble medical helicopters due to the inclement weather. Instead, the injured were transported by ambulance to Athol Hospital, as reported by WCVB. These same winds were responsible for grounding the helicopters which could not take off to provide more immediate aid.

Officials noted that the Orange Fire station was unstaffed momentarily when the emergency call came in, a detail mentioned due to previous calls that had thinned the available responders. Nevertheless, the firefighters reached the victims in due time and ensured their transport to the hospital. With the situation now being monitored, the seriousness of the casualties beyond the one critical injury remains to be fully assessed.

It was shared by the Orange Fire Department and conveyed by Boston25News that the local police, mutual aid partners, and Shelburne Control were integral in responding to the crisis, offering their "assistance and professionalism" in the wake of the accident. This communal effort highlights the importance of coordinated response when faced with unforeseen natural events that unsuspectingly threaten to disrupt the everyday peace of small towns like Orange.