San Antonio Zoo's giant tree branch caused the hospitalization of park visitors.
A family's visit to the San Antonio Zoo turned into a traumatic incident when a tree branch fell on them, injuring seven people in total.
The victims included five children, who were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
The local fire department reported that two adults and four children were in stable condition, while one child was in critical condition as his injuries were more severe.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in broad daylight, and it is unclear what caused the branch to fall.
San Antonio Zoo's giant tree branch incident
NBC DFW reported that the incident at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas occurred around 12:05 P.M. local time on Wednesday and was immediately reported to the city's fire department.
The branch unexpectedly broke and fell on a family and other kids nearby. Videos of the gruesome incident, including tiny clips before the tragedy, were caught on camera and now circulating online.
Guests at the zoo were seen swarming the area where the tree fell, and some people ran up to it. It can be seen that other parkgoers hurried immediately to take out the tree branch and rescue the kids that were stuck.
Fortunately, two adults and four children were listed in stable condition, while the fifth child is in critical condition. The ages of the injured individuals have not been disclosed.
Hope Roth, the park's vice president of marketing, expressed her sadness at the incident, noting that it was a busy spring break day at the zoo.
Furthermore, a woman who claims to be the mother of one of the victims shared on Facebook that her daughter was put to sleep as doctors ran tests.
The New York Post reports that the mother requested prayers for her child's recovery and stated that there was a lot of blood at the scene, and the incident happened so fast that there was no time to react.
The San Antonio Zoo confirmed that the zoo's Security/EMT teams quickly responded to the incident and began treating guests.
The San Antonio Park Police and San Antonio Fire Department also responded to the incident within minutes.
The zoo authorities have stated that they are cooperating with the investigation into the incident.
Precautions to stay safe at the zoo
The San Antonio Zoo is a popular destination for families and tourists looking to enjoy a day outdoors.
The zoo attracts thousands of visitors annually with its wide variety of animals, interactive exhibits, and educational programs.
However, accidents can happen in any public place, including zoos, and visitors need to take appropriate precautions to stay safe.
The recent incident at the San Antonio Zoo, where a tree branch fell on a family of seven, is a reminder of the importance of safety measures in public places.
While accidents like this are rare, they can happen, and it's crucial to take appropriate steps to minimize the risk of injury.
However, as recommended by Safety First, parents also play a significant role in keeping their children safe when visiting the zoo.
It is crucial to stay vigilant and supervise children at all times, especially in areas where animals are on display.
Some animals may be dangerous, and visitors must follow all safety guidelines provided by the zoo staff.
Additionally, visitors should be aware of potential hazards in the zoo, such as uneven terrain, slippery surfaces, and other environmental factors.
Wearing appropriate footwear and clothing can help prevent falls and other accidents.
