Child now freed after tree falls and partially traps him near Santa Cruz school

The National Weather Service reported that a student was trapped under a tree that fell at Gateway School in Santa Cruz.

First Responders arrived on scene and found a large cypress tree had snapped and fell onto the playground area. The trunk of the tree was approx. 60-80 feet in length and approximately 2 feet in diameter.

There were a number of children in the area waiting for the school day to begin. The downed tree fell across a picnic table where students were gathering. When the tree fell, it trapped an 11 year old student underneath, pinning his arm and shoulder.

Santa Cruz Fire Department crews acted quickly, using heavy equipment to stabilize the trunk of the tree. Once stabilized, fire crews used chainsaws to cut the tree away from the trapped child. The injured child was transported to Dominican Hospital with a possible broken arm.

Another 11 year old girl was also hit by branches when the tree fell. She was treated at the scene for minor injuries and released to her parents.

Gateway School is on Eucalyptus Ave., near West Cliff Dr., in Santa Cruz and is now closed for the remainder of Thursday.