MELROSE, Mass. — A boy who was struck by a large falling tree on a school playground has died, city officials confirmed Tuesday, in what the mayor and school superintendent called an “unimaginable tragedy.”
The child — whose name has not been publicly released — was among three people injured when a tree collapsed onto the playground of Winthrop Elementary School on Monday afternoon, just moments after students were dismissed for the day. A family friend described him as a boy full of energy, confidence, and happiness who loved to ski.
Two children and an adult were transported to local hospitals by ambulance. In a joint statement Tuesday, Melrose Mayor Jen Grigoraitis and Superintendent of Schools Cari Berman confirmed that one child had sustained severe injuries and passed away. The other two injured individuals have since been discharged.
“There are no words to convey such a profound loss. Our hearts are and will remain with the student’s family, friends, and classmates who are navigating this unimaginable tragedy.”
— Mayor Jen Grigoraitis & Superintendent Cari Berman
Witnesses said wind gusts picked up shortly before the incident. “The wind picked up and a tree fell,” said Nancy Clover, a Melrose resident. The force was strong enough to push the tree’s trunk through a chain link fence and onto the playground area.
The tree was located on the adjacent property of the historic Upham House. Eda George, president of the Upham Family Society, said a certified arborist had recently inspected the property and removed other trees just last Friday — but the tree that fell had not been flagged as a hazard.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan was on scene Monday evening as police sealed off the area. The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
Winthrop Elementary remained open Tuesday, with counseling services available for students and staff. Flowers were left at the playground fence in memory of the child. The Melrose School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday night was canceled.
Selwyn Palmer, 90, a former crossing guard who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, reflected on the loss: “I can’t imagine, little kid like that. It’s a freak accident.”
