ROY, Wash. — The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) says one person has died and several others are injured after a large tree fell on multiple booths at a trick-or-treat Halloween event at McKenna Park on Saturday.
Deputies were dispatched at around 1 p.m., where as many as seven people were found trapped underneath the tree. Three of them were taken to the hospital.
A man in his 30s was confirmed dead, and multiple people were injured, ranging from severe to minor injuries, PCSO said.
Jazzmyn Soldonia was with her 12-year-old niece when she heard the noise.
“There was a gust of wind, then we heard what sounded like thunder.” Soldonia said, “I was trying to stay calm for my niece, trying to get the kids into a safe place and get the kids separated because we heard they had found somebody.”
Soldonia says she tried to look for people pinned under the tree.
“I’m hurting, I have some good scrapes, cuts, and bruises. I am very overwhelmed. I want to go home and hug my babies,” she said.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PSCO) posted bodycam video over the weekend showing the moments deputies responded to the park.
“There were children and adults at this event that were out trying to have a good time with no expectations that a giant tree was about to fall,” PSCO Deputy Carly Cappetto tells KIRO 7.
“Anytime somebody dies…there is a lot of hurt, a lot of pain going on. And, people want answers. And, that is what the family will have to work with at this point," Deputy Cappetto said.
Kasaundra Sanchez-Dey was working as a vendor at the event and she says the tight-knit group of merchants is coming together.
“It was a crazy day. But, the community shows up when they need to,” Dey said.
Savannah Davitt says she heard one branch come down, then heard the crack as the whole tree fell. One branch crushed her booth moments after she stepped outside for the first time for the day. The tree smashed the booth right next to her.
“Other people weren’t so lucky today, and it’s crazy to think that could have been me,” Davitt said.
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