4 men injured after tree falls in Fairmount Park: police

Investigation underway after tree falls in Fairmount Park injuring 4 men

Philadelphia Police say four people were hurt when part of a tree fell in Fairmount Park.

PHILADELPHIA - Four men have been hospitalized after a tree fell at a park in Philadelphia Wednesday. 

What we know:

At around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Philly police say a tree fell near South Concourse Street and Memorial Hall Drive. The incident occurred across the street from the Please Touch Museum.

Police say four men were injured in the incident. 

The victims were taken to local hospitals by medics for treatment and police say they are in stable condition.

What they're saying:

"This is a really tragic, tragic thing," said PJ Brown watching the cleanup after what could have been a deadly accident in Fairmount Park. 

Brown says he was nearby.

"Four of our friends, our associates that has been with us for years. Seniors that has retired that comes out in the afternoon to relax and play dominos and just recreation under the tree is hurt," said Brown.

Brown says large groups come here almost daily to play dominos. Today chairs and tables remained. Some were overturned and mangled.

"We play dominos under this tree. Me myself, I have been here for 40 years under this tree playing dominos," said Brown. He says nothing like this has ever happened to them.

"You could hear it splitting. Then it was going split, split, split, split and then it said crack. Boom," one man described. He says he was sitting on a park bench across the street.

"I was surprised. It caught me off guard," he said.

Youth football players said they got there after it happened and went on with their regular schedule on the grass not far away.

Others watched the cleanup and what was left behind. They are still in disbelief.

"This is Fairmount Park. One of the largest of city parks in the country," said Brown. He wants to be assured this does not happen again.

"Next time that could be something much more severe. Maybe a loss of life," said Brown.

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation provided this statement:

"Our hearts go out to the four individuals injured after being struck by a tree in Fairmount Park today.

The tree’s maintenance history is under review — a process that may take up to 24 hours. We are working with the Philadelphia Police Department and will share further updates once the investigation is complete."