On a stormy Sunday morning in Lakewood, a routine moment in a residential yard turned into a nightmare when a tree crashed down on three children, injuring all of them and sending one by air ambulance to a trauma center. Emergency crews found the victims in the 7300 block of Gleneagle Circle, where two of the children were treated at the scene. The child flown by LifeNet was reported to be in serious but stable condition.
Officials' account
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue said crews were dispatched at 9:17 a.m. to a house in the 7300 block of Gleneagle Circle after reports that a tree had fallen on several children. One child was taken by a LifeNet medical transport helicopter, and the other two were treated and released on scene, according to officials.
Local response
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue District, which covers Lakewood and nearby parts of McHenry County, handles medical and rescue calls in the area and established command at the scene. The district’s public information materials and station map lay out its coverage area and response responsibilities, according to the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue website.
Weather and scene
Heavy rain and storms were moving through the broader Chicago area on Sunday morning, but officials did not immediately say whether the weather was to blame for the tree’s collapse. NBC Chicago reported that one child was airlifted and the other two were treated and released at the scene, adding that further details had not yet been made available.
What’s next
Authorities have not released the victims’ names or ages and have not yet announced a cause for the collapse, according to CBS Chicago. Residents with safety concerns about trees or storm damage can contact the city’s Public Works department for guidance. The city lists phone numbers and reporting options for non-emergency issues on its website, per the Crystal Lake Public Works.
