By Crash News Writer 
Calabasas, CA (July 12, 2025) — A tragic accident at a summer camp in Calabasas claimed the life of an 8-year-old boy and left four others hurt when a massive tree branch fell onto a group of campers and adults.
According to reports, the devastating incident occurred on Wednesday, July 9, around 2:45 p.m. at King Gillette Ranch, a park within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Witnesses say those gathered — campers and counselors from Camp Wildcraft — were sitting beneath a large oak tree to escape the sun when a branch estimated at 25 to 30 feet long and weighing several hundred pounds suddenly snapped and fell without warning.
Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, along with firefighters and medical personnel, rushed to the scene. The young boy was transported to a nearby hospital but sadly did not survive. Four other victims, including two children ages 5 and 11 and two adults ages 22 and 73, were treated for injuries ranging from cuts and broken bones to head trauma and a concussion. Officials are continuing to investigate how the branch fell and whether any safety concerns were overlooked.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
The information in this article is based on initial reports from local authorities and may be subject to updates as investigations continue.
- The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
- Further details about the accident, including toxicology results and potential charges, will be shared as they become available.
- Road closures and traffic updates related to the accident scene can be found by checking with local authorities or traffic monitoring services.
The content of this news story is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is based on public reports at the time of publication, and details may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know have been involved in a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this article. Learn more with our disclaimer.