Student critically injured when tree falls on children outside elementary school

PLEASANT HILL, Mo. ( KCTV /Gray News) - A child was taken to the hospital after a tree fell and struck multiple students at an elementary school.

Emergency personnel responded to Pleasant Hill Elementary School at about 1:40 p.m. after learning a deteriorated tree in a neighbor's yard next to the playground had toppled, according to police.

Pleasant Hill police said the tree, believed to have fallen due to high winds, likely hit one student directly on the head. The child was transported to the hospital with critical injuries.

A tree limb from the fallen tree struck four other students, who suffered minor injuries, according to the school nursing staff.

Police chief Tommy Wright said law enforcement has identified the owner of the property on which the tree stood.

"People need to pay attention to the trees in their yard," Wright said. "We want to make sure we use this as an opportunity to educate folks about the dangers of trees."

"The winds are always high this time of year and in the spring. We have some incoming weather systems. We want to make sure people know that it is time to take a look at what's in your yard," he said.