CALABASAS, CA – The parents of an 8-year-old boy who was tragically killed by a falling tree branch at a Calabasas park last year are set to receive a $14.65 million settlement from the agencies responsible for the property and its maintenance.
The Fatal Incident
The tragedy occurred during a summer session of Camp Wildcraft on the grounds of King Gillette Ranch Park. An 8-year-old camper, Lamar McGlothurn, was struck when a 25- to 30-foot branch weighing roughly 100 pounds snapped from a tree.
McGlothurn was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to blunt force injuries. Five other individuals, including three children and two adults, sustained injuries ranging from severe concussions to broken bones.
Warning Signs Ignored
Following the incident, text messages surfaced from an employee of a tree care company sent just one day before the tragedy. The texts explicitly raised red flags about the tree’s deteriorating condition.
“It is somewhat concerning seeing all the decay at the trunk. It would be wise to thin the canopy and alleviate end weight… to mitigate risk,” the employee wrote.
Settlement Breakdown
The multi-million dollar settlement agreement was officially finalized to resolve the legal claims:
- $14.65 Million: Awarded directly to the parents of Lamar McGlothurn.
- $4.65 Million: Distributed among the six other individuals injured in the crash.
- Responsible Parties: The bulk of the payout will come from the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), which manages the park, alongside contributions from Camp Wildcraft and Gomez Landscape & Tree Care.
An MRCA spokesperson issued a statement expressing profound condolences, noting that the agency hopes the settlement brings some small measure of solace to the grieving family after an unfathomable loss.
