One dead and five hurt including a four-year-old in critical condition after huge tree fell on wedding party
An older guest died on their way to hospital following the horrific incident in Southern California
A WOMAN has died and a four-year-old girl is in critical condition after a large tree fell onto a wedding party while pictures were being taken.
Four others are reportedly injured after a large eucalyptus tree toppled during the event on Saturday in Whittier, Southern California.
One witness Rene Zaldivar, who was attending another party in the area, told he saw the bride “screaming” because her own mother was unconscious.
He said: "She was limping a little bit, but she was screaming about her mom – they couldn’t wake her up."
The woman who lost her life was an older guest who died on her way to hospital, according to .
Related stories
Six people were trapped under the tree and had to be freed by firefighters who cut through the fallen bark with chainsaws.
The reports that one of the injured is a 4-year-old girl who is in critical condition after suffering head trauma.
A baby girl was reportedly among those trapped under the tree and officials have confirmed that four of the injured suffered scrapes and bruises.
City News Service reports fire officials dispatched at least six ambulances to the scene.
Witnesses described hearing a loud crack and seeing people run from the area at around 4:30pm local time.
One witness said the tree cracked in half and toppled over suddenly - landing on guests who were taking photographs, reports the The Los Angeles Times.
The tree could have been weakened by California's ongoing drought and recent heavy rain could have contributed to its fall, officials said.
Tree surgeons will assess the area today, authorities confirmed.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368