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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