- The girl was playing with other children in a Lake Worth community on Sunday
- An 8-year-old boy was also struck by the falling tree and injured
- Parents of students at Coral Reef Elementary School received a call the next 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 said the girl and two other children were playing on an obstacle course hooked between two trees at the Smith Farm residential community in Lake Worth.
One of the trees along Hagen Ranch and Hypoluxo roads fell, falling on the girl and hitting an 8-year-old boy.
The boy was slightly injured, but the girl died as a result of her injuries.
The names of the injured children have not been released.
A 9-year-old girl has died after being crushed by a falling palm tree while playing with friends in the Smith Farm housing development in Palm Beach County, Florida.
One of the trees along Hagen Ranch and Hypoluxo roads fell, falling on the girl and hitting an 8-year-old boy. The children played on an obstacle course tied to the trees
Around 6:15 p.m. Sunday, Palm Beach rescue crews received a report that a tree had fallen and struck the children. When officers arrived, they found the three children injured and rushed the girl to Delray Beach Medical Center.
The other two children were taken by ambulance to a local trauma center.
Palm Beach Sheriff Department spokeswoman Teri Barbera said deputies opened an investigation but believed the death was accidental.
Although the trees looked healthy and stable, there was some rot inside.
In a phone call to parents on Monday, it was 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.
“Grievance counselors will be made available to our students and staff to ensure they receive the emotional support they need to help them through this tragedy.”
Parents were told to monitor their children’s behavior for signs of anxiety.
“At Coral Reef Elementary, we are a family grieving our losses together,” Bohne said.