Wedding disaster: Woman dies after giant tree falls on bridal party
- 7 years ago
WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA — Disaster struck at a wedding in southern California on the weekend when a guest was crushed to death by a giant tree.
The wedding party was posing for a group shot at Penn Park in Whittier on Saturday when the 100-foot eucalyptus tree came crashing down on them, the Whittier Daily News reported.
As many as 20 guests were trapped underneath the tree, so the fire department used chainsaws to cut them out.
One of the guests, described as an older woman, died on her way to the hospital. Five other guests were injured, including a 4-year-old girl, but they’re all reportedly all right.
It’s unknown why the tree fell, but one theory is it could have been weakened by years of drought in California, which forced its thirsty roots above ground. Heavy rains last Friday night may then have loosened up the roots even further.
Witnesses said the tree split in two as it came crashing down to earth with a thunderous bang.
The traumatized wedding guests were offered counseling at the scene.
Authorities have been inspecting other trees in the park in case any more decide to come falling down.
The wedding party was posing for a group shot at Penn Park in Whittier on Saturday when the 100-foot eucalyptus tree came crashing down on them, the Whittier Daily News reported.
As many as 20 guests were trapped underneath the tree, so the fire department used chainsaws to cut them out.
One of the guests, described as an older woman, died on her way to the hospital. Five other guests were injured, including a 4-year-old girl, but they’re all reportedly all right.
It’s unknown why the tree fell, but one theory is it could have been weakened by years of drought in California, which forced its thirsty roots above ground. Heavy rains last Friday night may then have loosened up the roots even further.
Witnesses said the tree split in two as it came crashing down to earth with a thunderous bang.
The traumatized wedding guests were offered counseling at the scene.
Authorities have been inspecting other trees in the park in case any more decide to come falling down.