- The girl was playing with other children at a church in Lake Worth on Sunday
- An 8-year-old boy was also hit and injured by the falling tree
- Parents of students at Coral Reef Elementary School received a call the following day about an “off-campus incident.”
A 9-year-old girl has died after being crushed by a falling palm tree while playing with friends.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reported that the girl and two other children were playing on an obstacle course mounted between two trees in the Smith Farm subdivision in Lake Worth.
One of the trees along Hagen Ranch and Hypoluxo roads fell, falling on the girl and striking an 8-year-old boy.
The boy suffered minor injuries, but the girl died from her injuries.
The names of the injured children were not released.
A 9-year-old girl has died after being crushed by a falling palm tree while playing with friends in the Smith Farm subdivision in Palm Beach County, Florida
One of the trees along Hagen Ranch and Hypoluxo roads fell, falling on the girl and striking an 8-year-old boy. The children played on an obstacle course attached to the trees
On Sunday around 6:15 p.m., Palm Beach firefighters received a report that a tree had fallen and hit the children. When officers arrived, they discovered the three children were injured and rushed the girl to Delray Beach Medical Center.
The other two children were taken by ambulance to a local trauma center.
Teri Barbera, spokeswoman for the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Department, said officials have launched an investigation but believe it was an accidental death.
Although the trees appeared healthy and sturdy, there was some rot inside.
A call to parents on Monday revealed that the girl was a student at Coral Reef Elementary School.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students tragically passed away this weekend following an off-campus incident,” said Principal Sean Bohne.
He added that the student’s name would not be released out of respect for the family.
“Grief counselors will be provided to our students and staff to ensure they receive the emotional support they may need to help them through this tragedy.”
Parents were told to monitor their children’s behavior for signs of distress.
“At Coral Reef Elementary, we are a family that grieves our losses together,” Bohne said.