Tree Branch Falls, Hurts 4 at Knott’s

BUENA PARK — Four visitors to Knott’s Berry Farm were injured Friday when a large branch from a ficus tree fell on them in a food courtyard.

Three of the victims, including a little girl, suffered minor cuts and scrapes. They were examined briefly by doctors at Columbia West Anaheim Medical Center and released Friday evening.

The fourth victim, described as a woman in her early 20s, was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, where her back was X-rayed. She was in stable condition and was expected to remain at the hospital overnight for observation, a spokeswoman said.

The tree branch fell about 3:40 p.m. in Fiesta Plaza, an outdoor courtyard where mariachi dancers perform and Mexican food is served.

The victims were sitting on a row of benches under the tree, said Tom LeBouf, senior vice president of Knott’s Berry Farm.

“It could have been worse,” LeBouf said. “We were lucky that there were not more people sitting on the chairs and tables around there.”

He and other witnesses described the branch as being at least 10 feet long.

Two paramedics employed by the theme park were in Fiesta Plaza when the branch fell and went to the aid of the victims, he said. Paramedics from the Orange County Fire Authority soon arrived.

Two of the adults as well as a small girl appeared to suffer minor cuts, LeBouf said.

“The girl just had a little bump on the head,” he said. “They took her to the hospital just as a precaution.”

Neither park officials nor the Orange County Fire Authority would identify the victims, who apparently came to the park separately with their families.

The accident scene gradually drew curious park visitors, so officials temporarily sealed off the plaza while paramedics tended to the victims.

Then maintenance crews sawed the large branch into pieces and carted it away, LeBouf said.

“The area was reopened in the evening,” he added. “Everything is back to normal.”

LeBouf said park officials weren’t sure what caused the branch to fall.