Boy Dies After Tree Falls On Him At Detroit Area Nature Center: Police

HOWELL, MI — A 12-year-old boy died Thursday after a tree fell on him while visiting the Howell Nature Center in Livingston County, according to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said the boy was a student at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in Northville and was visiting the nature center for an overnight field trip.

One of the instructors was speaking to the group of students at 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon when they heard loud cracking, according to officials.

The group took off running, but the 20-foot tree fell and struck the boy in the head, according to officials.

Officials airlifted the boy to Mott Children's Hospital where he was initially listed in critical condition, but later died, according to officials.

Investigators believe the trunk of the tree may have been rotted and that's why it fell.

There was no work being done in the area and it wasn't a windy day, officials added.

"Our hearts break and we are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred here at Howell Nature Center," park officials wrote on social media. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the child, their family, fellow students, teachers, and staff during this difficult time."

Officials canceled the rest of the field trip and closed down the park Friday "so staff can come together and process today’s events."