An employee raised concerns about decay in a large oak tree at King Gillette Ranch a day prior to a tragic incident where a branch fell. The branch struck 8-year-old Lamar McGlothurn during Camp Wildcraft activities, resulting in his death and injuries to others. The conservation authority’s status on the tree's safety remains unknown, and there was a prior incident with a fallen branch. Despite trauma counseling being offered, responses have been inadequate for affected families.
"It is somewhat concerning seeing all the decay at the trunk, the employee, identified in the records as Gilbert, wrote on July 8."
"Lamar McGlothurn, 8, was attending Camp Wildcraft at the Calabasas park when the large branch fell, striking him and several others."
"Camp staff told them about a branch that had fallen from the tree a week earlier. But the camp continued to gather beneath it each day until dismissal on July 9."
"It is unclear whether the conservation authority had confirmed to camp administrators that the tree was safe to gather under, or if the camp directors were aware of the concerns about decay."
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