4 Injured, 1 Seriously, By Falling Branch On Northwestern Campus

EVANSTON, IL — Four people were struck by a falling tree Thursday on Northwestern University's campus in Evanston, authorities said.

Around noon, Evanston police and fire crews were dispatched to the area of Sheridan Road and Foster Street, where wind gusts of up to 35 mph knocked a tree onto the sidewalk near the university's Donald P. Jacobs Center.

Dispatchers received calls from multiple people who were entrapped under the falling tree, according to fire officials. The first fire crews arrived within minutes and found four people who needed medical care.

Three of the people struck were taken to Evanston Hospital, with one of the pedestrians in critical condition and two in serious condition, according to fire officials. A fourth injured person declined further medical treatment.

Fire officials said a combination of snow, wind and ice led to the collapse of the tree, which appeared to be more than 20 feet tall, according to video from the scene.