Falling Tree Injures 6 Funeral Attendees

Pastor said large tree limb fell on people standing outside church after services

Six people were injured Tuesday when part of a tree fell as they left a funeral on Chicago's South Side.

The tree fell outside Harvey Memorial Community Church in the 8400 block of South Maryland Avenue around 12:40 p.m., fire officials said.

Pastor Darrow Andrews said funeral services had just finished and attendees were standing outside when a large tree limb fell.

"We were all coming out from the side building here and then we all just heard like a crackle. It sounded like fireworks, but ... the tree fell and then you heard people screaming and everyone just took off running. Heels on, everything, we all just ran," said witness Natasha Smith.

One of the attendees said about 40 people had to roll the tree off of people because it was too heavy to lift.

The injured were transported to three area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. All had been released by late Tuesday evening.



 

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