Falling Tree Kills Child at Carroll County Summer Camp: Sheriff

A child attending summer camp in Manchester was killed after Tuesday night's storm, the Carroll County Sheriff's Office reported.

Just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, 114 children at River Valley Ranch summer camp were gathered outside by a hillside pavilion when counselors saw a strong storm approaching and tried to move the children to a nearby hall, the report said. The hall was 150 yards away through a path in the woods, according to WBAL.

During the process of relocating, a tree fell on several children, the sheriff's office said.

One child was trapped underneath the tree, according to the Carroll County Times. The child was taken to the hospital and confirmed deceased at approximately 10 p.m., ABC 2 News reported.

Six other children were taken to area hospitals with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, sheriff's office reported.

All of those injured were between 7 and 12 years old, according to WBAL, which reported the name and age of the boy who died have not been released.

The father of one of the injured children said his daughter had a concussion from a tree falling on her, according to The Baltimore Sun.

In addition to the six children who survived at the hospital, paramedics treated two children at the scene, according to the sheriff's office, meaning a total of eight children were injured and survived.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office reported that it was investigating the incident.

"It was a freak storm that came up," River Valley Ranch Executive Director Jon Bissett told WJZ, noting that "something like this has never happened in our history." The Christian camp in the 4400 block of Grave Run Road has been around since 1952.

Read the statement Bissett issued after the death of the camper.

According to WJZ, there was no power at the camp after the storm.

Campers enrolled in the Arrowhead Woods and Fort Roller programs were picked up, while those in the Frontier Town area, which was not damaged, were allowed to remain on campus, according to the sheriff's office.