Child dies in freak accident while playing with friends after school
An elementary school student was killed in a freak accident in Massachusetts after a huge tree crashed onto a playground after school.
The student died Tuesday after being seriously injured the day before while playing on the Winthrop Elementary School playground, the Melrose School Committee said.
“We are deeply saddened to share the heartbreaking news that a student seriously injured in yesterday’s accident at Winthrop Elementary School has died,” Melrose Mayor Jen Grigoraitis and Superintendent Cari Berman said in a joint statement.
Another student and an adult were taken to hospital with injuries but were released shortly afterwards.
No information has been released about the identity of the young victim who died.
Officials said the playground was hit by the tree, which fell from the other side of a fence just before 3 p.m., according to the Boston Globe.
It remains unclear what caused the tree to fall on the playground. The Daily Mail has contacted the Melrose Police Department, Fire Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office for comment.
“It was after school; children played on the playground as usual. The wind came up and a tree fell,” local resident Nancy Clover told CBS News.
One child, a student at Winthrop Elementary School in Melrose, died Tuesday after being seriously injured the day before
A tree fell on the playground around 3 p.m., killing one child and injuring another student and an adult
Eda George, the president of an organization that owns the property where the fallen tree stood, told WCVB that all of their trees were just checked last week
Eda George, the president of an organization that owns the property from which the tree fell, told WCVB that all of their trees had just been checked last week
“The tree that fell gave no indication that it was at risk of falling,” George claimed.
According to the Globe, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan was on the scene to speak with police.
A spokesperson told the outlet that his office is investigating the incident and no foul play is suspected.
The elementary school remained open Tuesday and offered resources to students and teachers who were grieving.
“As teachers, we hold our students close to us, not only in our classrooms, but in our hearts. It is moments like these that remind us that our schools are more than places of learning – they are communities of care,” the Melrose Educators Union said in a statement.
The school remained open Tuesday and provided resources to students and staff. The Middlesex Crown Prosecution Service is investigating the incident
“As we cope with this tragedy, we are reminded of the importance of coming together – with kindness, patience and care for each other.
‘Our strength will lie in the way we support each other during the sadness and uncertainty. We hold the family, the Winthrop community and everyone involved in our hearts.”
According to WCVB, a growing memorial has been erected near the playground.
‘It’s so sad. But it makes us realize that life is so precious, and right before Mother’s Day,” Melrose resident Cheryl Riley told the outlet.
‘It really hurts us. Our condolences to the family, the friends, the school, and we send nothing but hugs.”