A kindergarten student has been placed in a medically induced coma after being hit by a falling tree while she was playing outside her North Vancouver school.
The tree fell down on a private property near Highlands Elementary Monday afternoon, striking a fence and sending a piece flying into the school yard.
The five-year-old girl was hit by a portion of the tree, breaking her femur and leaving her seriously injured.
"I know that she was injured in the lower part of her body," said Sgt. Doug Trousdell of the North Vancouver RCMP.
"She did suffer some broken bones and then fell to the ground and has a head injury as a result."
A member of the office staff called 911. The incident happened in front of other children, and counselling is being offered to other students.
Police suspect the tree toppled over because it had rotted.
"We don't believe negligence plays a part here, we have talked to the homeowner as well as the District of North Vancouver and the school district and we believe this was just a tragic accident," said Trousdell.
The school district said it will complete a full safety assessment before students are allowed to return to the area where the tree fell over. Officials are also assessing other trees in the area.
