Updated

Updated · MetroWest Daily News · Aug 20

Family Identifies 8-Year-Old Mason Sundberg Killed by Falling Tree at Wayland YMCA Camp

Updated

Updated · MetroWest Daily News · Aug 20

Family Identifies 8-Year-Old Mason Sundberg Killed by Falling Tree at Wayland YMCA Camp

Q: What hidden natural danger triggered the deadly domino effect that claimed an 8-year-old's life at a historic summer camp?

The hidden natural danger was a large tree that suddenly fell in the wooded camp area, knocking down another tree in a “domino effect” and sending branches onto the campers and staff below. Officials said the children and counselors were in an open clearing in the woods at Camp Chickami when one large tree came down and brought down a second tree. The 8-year-old boy was struck by a large branch, while a counselor was hit by a smaller one and suffered minor injuries. Authorities have not identified a more specific trigger, such as rot, wind, or disease, and said the exact cause remains under investigation. Camp officials said the property has an annual tree maintenance plan, but they do not yet know what caused this highly unusual natural event.

3 articles · Updated · MetroWest Daily News · Aug 20

Mason Sundberg, 8, of Sudbury was identified by his family after a tree fell on him around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at YMCA Camp Chickami in Wayland.
The falling tree also injured a camp counselor, who suffered minor injuries, while Mason was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and later died.
Camp Chickami, founded in 1955 for children ages 7 to 15, closed for the rest of the week as grief counseling was arranged for campers, families and staff.
Sudbury Public Schools said Mason was a student at Loring Elementary School and worked with the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council's STARS team to provide crisis support.
Wayland officials called the death a tragic accident as the community mourned and Mason's family said details on remembrances and a celebration of life would be shared later.