What began as a cheerful, family-friendly Halloween celebration turned into a heartbreaking scene Saturday afternoon when a large oak tree fell at McKenna Park near Yelm, killing one man and injuring several others.
The incident occurred during the “Haunted Witches Market,” an event hosted by Centaur Sisters of the Moon Events. The gathering, which ran from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featured local vendors, face painting, henna tattoos, and trick-or-treating for children. Families wandered the park enjoying the crisp autumn weather when, just after 1 p.m., disaster struck.
According to Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Carly Cappetto, a 31-year-old man was killed after being struck by a large branch from the fallen tree. Three others were transported to nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from serious to non-life-threatening. Their identities and ages have not yet been released.
“It was just an awful event — totally unexpected,” Cappetto said. “It’s one of those freak accidents you just can’t prepare for. You hear about trees falling on homes or cars sometimes, but something like this at a community event—it’s just heartbreaking.”
Emergency responders from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, South Pierce Fire and Rescue, and Central Pierce Fire and Rescue arrived within minutes of the first calls. Witnesses described a scene of panic and confusion as attendees rushed to help those injured beneath the fallen branches.
Between 40 and 80 people were at the market at the time of the collapse. Authorities worked quickly to secure the area as medical personnel treated the injured and escorted shaken attendees away from the scene.
Deputy Cappetto noted that while such incidents are rare, they serve as a somber reminder of the potential dangers posed by aging or unstable trees.
“Every year or so, we get a tragic call like this,” she said. “This time of year, it’s so important for property owners and communities to assess trees for safety. We live in such a beautiful state with so many trees—but unfortunately, that also means accidents like this can happen.”
McKenna Park, located at 35621 State Route 507 South, is owned and operated by Centralia City Light. The park remains closed as investigators work to determine what caused the tree to fall.
What was meant to be a day of laughter, creativity, and community spirit ended in sorrow—an unthinkable reminder of how quickly joy can turn to tragedy.