More Than Two Dozen Hurt in Incident at Chippewa County Apple Orchard

What Happened?

More than two dozen people were injured, including several children, after a tree fell on a group of people at an apple orchard in Chippewa County, Michigan, on Saturday.

The incident happened at around 12:30 p.m. at the Uncle John's Cider Mill in the city of Montague. A large branch from a maple tree snapped and fell onto a group of people who were standing underneath it.

Witnesses said that the tree fell without warning. "It was just a freak accident," said one witness. "There was no wind or anything. The tree just fell." Another person said, "You would not think to look up in a, you know, calm situation like that and worry about a tree falling on you."

Who Was Injured?

Those injured included adults and children. The extent of their injuries is not yet known, but some are reported to be serious.

One of the victims was airlifted to a hospital in Grand Rapids. The other victims were taken to local hospitals by ambulance.

What Caused the Incident?

The cause of the incident is still under investigation. However, officials said that the tree was healthy and there were no signs of any disease or damage.

One possibility is that the tree was weakened by recent storms. The area has been hit by several storms in recent weeks, including a tornado that touched down in nearby Muskegon County on Friday.

What is the Orchard Doing?

The apple orchard is closed while the investigation continues. The orchard's owners said that they are cooperating with investigators and are doing everything they can to help the victims.

In a statement, the orchard's owners said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragic accident. We are doing everything we can to assist the victims and their families during this difficult time."