ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — A Parkland High School cross-country runner was critically injured after he was hit in the head by a falling tree at practice over the weekend along the Little Lehigh Parkway Path in Allentown.
First responders said he was still unconscious when they arrived just before 9:30 a.m. Saturday, near Oxford and Park drives.
“This was something that’s unprecedented,” said Allentown EMS Chief Mehmet Barzev. “I’d imagine this is a worst day ever type of event for them.”
Officials said medics performed CPR on the boy at the scene. They got a pulse and said the boy started breathing again.
“I believe he was being treated for head and some spinal injuries,” said Barzev.
Parkland School District officials said they cannot speak on the matter due to privacy laws.
Action News did, however, obtain a letter sent to parents Sunday night letting them know a student was critically injured during cross-country team practice.
“We see runners out here all the time, cross country runners,” said Cheryl Novak.
Nearly all the tree snapped off the trunk during a weekend of gusty winds and rain from the passing nor’easter.
“You don’t usually see a whole tree down,” said resident Sandy Abdalla.
Neal Novak also walks the trail and said, “We’ve been down in the park now for well over 30 years at the clubhouse and very seldom do we see trees collapse like that.”
“That’s tragic. I will pray that he gets through this and can recover, but a tree like that hitting you on the head. That’s not good. So sad,” Abdalla said.
Officials said medics rushed the boy to the Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital. We’re told he is being closely monitored.
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