MARION TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — According to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, a 12-year-old boy has died after a tree fell on him at the Howell Nature Center Thursday afternoon while he was on a field trip.
Officials say the tree struck the 12-year-old boy in the head. We’re told the boy was critically injured and later died at the hospital.
The boy was a student at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in Northville and was at the facility for an overnight field trip.
Sheriff Michael Murphy says chaperones were teaching the students how to make a fire when they heard loud cracking. Members of the group took off running when they heard the sound, and the 20-foot tall tree with a rotted trunk fell on the boy, hitting him on the head.
He was airlifted to Mott Children's Hospital by the University of Michigan's Survival Flight in critical condition. The boy died around 8 p.m.
“I have no words other than it's a tragic accident that just makes absolutely no sense," Murphy said.
Residents fear it may have been an old, decaying tree that came down. Diane Casler lives in the area and says she sees many of those.
"It happens, but it’s periodically," she said. “There’s some big old trees."
The school has released the following statement about the incident:
As you may have heard, one of our sixth-grade students was seriously injured today in an accident during the class’s overnight field trip to the Howell Nature Center. The student has been airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. Our prayers are with the student and family as they navigate this very difficult situation.
As this incident occurred in front of other students, the decision was made to cancel the rest of the field trip so students could return home to their families. All parents of students on the trip have been contacted. We have been working with the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic Schools Department to coordinate counseling services for any of our students who may be impacted by this news, particularly those in the sixth grade.
Please know I will pass along any updates the family is comfortable sharing. Beyond that, we ask you to join our school in respecting their need for privacy and sensitivity.
Howell Nature Center CEO Tina Bruce has released the following statement about the incident:
Our hearts break and we are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred here at Howell Nature Center. Our thoughts and prayers are with the child and their family during this difficult time.
At this moment, we are gathering all the facts and working closely with the authorities and our staff to understand what happened today. We will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
