A tragic accident unfolded at a Calabasas park where a child was killed and several others were injured after a large tree branch fell during a summer camp activity. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to King Gillette Ranch on the 26800 block of Mulholland Highway after a distress call came in just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday. According to KTLA, the tree branch snapped off near picnic tables where children from Camp Wildcraft were participating in arts and crafts.
In the wake of the accident, one child was airlifted to the hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. The total of five people, including at least two minors, were treated at the scene or taken to the hospital with varying injuries, as reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's. A 11-year-old girl was airlifted with a broken leg, and a 5-year-old boy sustained head injuries, among others affected in the incident.
The camp, which was held at King Gillette Ranch for the first time due to the previous location being impacted by the Palisades fire, left parents and authorities questioning the safety of the temporary site. "I did know that it was supposed to be at a different location and it was moved here," a parent named Sarah told KTLA. "I don’t know if they searched the area before they put the camp here."
The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing its commitment to park safety in a statement that appeared on both ABC7 and FOX LA. "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 MRCA stated. They also confirmed their cooperation with authorities to understand exactly what happened and support a thorough investigation.
As the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau investigates the death, the entrance to King Gillette Ranch remains closed. The community recalls a similar sorrowful incident which took place a decade earlier in Pasadena, where a falling tree critically injured two children. The resemblance to the past tragedy highlighted by ABC7 has resonated with the public, amplifying the current loss. A plea for information has been made by the Sheriff's Department for anyone who may have details about the Calabasas incident.
