6-Year-Old Girl, Father Hurt by Falling Branch in Westwood

A 6-year-old girl was in critical condition and her father in fair condition after both were hit Sunday by a falling tree branch as they walked in a Westwood park, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said.

The incident occurred as the father, his daughter and 5-year-old son were walking in Holmby Park near the 600 block of South Club View Drive about 1 p.m., said Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

“There was no one climbing in the tree, according to witnesses, or any other cause for it to suddenly give way,” said Humphrey. “It is just a tragic, tragic case.”

The tree limb, about eight inches in diameter, knocked over the man and his daughter but appeared to miss the boy.

Both the girl and her father suffered head injuries from the falling branch, but the son was unhurt, Humphrey said.

Authorities were not releasing the name of the man and his daughter, and UCLA hospital officials had no immediate comment.

The girl lost consciousness and was treated at the scene by paramedics. She went into convulsions as she was being admitted to UCLA Medical Center.

The father, who was taken to the same hospital, had a fractured right ankle, Humphrey said.

City park authorities were investigating the accident, Humphrey said.