PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A tragic accident claimed the life of a 9-year-old girl in Palm Beach County over the weekend, according to detectives.
The incident occurred Sunday inside the Smith Farm gated community located along Hagen Ranch and Hypoluxo roads in the Lake Worth area.
When Palm Beach County Fire Rescue arrived at the scene at about 6:12 p.m., they found three injured children.
The girl, whose name has not been released, was rushed to Delray Medical Center after the accident but was pronounced dead.
The other two injured children were taken by ambulance to a local trauma center. An 8-year-old boy suffered minor injuries, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. The condition of the other child has not been released.
The girl's family told detectives that she and several friends were playing on an obstacle course strap attached to two large palm trees. That's when one of the trees fell and landed on top of her.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said deputies were investigating but don't believe there was criminal intent.
The two trees appeared to be healthy and stable, but there was some rotting inside not visible.
Coral Reef Elementary School, which is next to the neighborhood, sent out a notice to parents Monday about a student's death over the weekend in an "off-campus incident."
The school said grief counselors are available to talk to any students who are struggling with the news of a classmate's sudden death.
Below is the transcript of a phone call sent to parents of students who attend Coral Reef Elementary School:
"Coral Reef Elementary School Parents and Guardians,
This is Principal Bohne. It is with great sadness that I inform you one of our students tragically passed away following an off-campus incident this weekend.
For confidentiality reasons and out of respect for the family's privacy, I am not releasing the name of the student at this time.
I have been in contact with the student’s family, and have offered comfort and sincere condolences on behalf of our school and District.
Grief counselors will be made available for our students and staff to ensure they have the emotional support they may need to help them through this tragedy.
Please monitor your students' behavior for any signs of distress related to this. Please do not hesitate to send any students to a counselor for help.
At Coral Reef Elementary, we are a family who grieves our losses together."
