Woman Dies After Tree Falls on Wedding Party
A
woman was killed and five others were injured when a large eucalyptus
tree fell on a wedding party taking photographs at a Southern California
park Saturday, authorities said.
Several people were trapped under the tree at Whittier's Penn Park, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
Video from the scene showed fire crews using chain saws to cut through the downed branches.
Four
of the injured suffered scrapes and bruises, officials said. A
4-year-old girl was listed in critical condition due to head trauma, the
Los Angeles Times reported.
Witnesses described hearing a loud crack and seeing people run from the area.
The
tree could have been weakened by California's ongoing drought and
recent heavy rain could have contributed to its fall, officials said.
An arborist will assess the area Sunday, officials said.
Update 12/19, 11:00 p.m.: A
relative has confirmed Monday that the woman killed by a falling tree
during a wedding party in Whittier's Penn Park was 61-year-old Margarita
Mojarro, the mother of the bride.
“Margarita’s
daughters loved their mom so much, they were always calling her and she
was always there to help with anything,” the woman's son-in-law,
Guadalupe Cuevas, told People. “She was a very supportive mother, friend and neighbor.”
Since
the incident occurred, the park has been closed until officials can
determine if it is safe for visitors and no other trees are at risk of
falling.
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