A family hiking trip in Cedar Falls Park near Greenville, South Carolina, turned into a nightmare on Monday when a tree suddenly fell, seriously injuring a 10-year-old girl and a man. The incident occurred as the group was standing at the end of a trail, discussing plans to visit a pool.
Details of the Accident
Kameron Masters, the mother of the injured girl, recounted the event on Facebook. 'We heard a little crack and a split second later a tree fell onto our group,' she wrote. 'Leila and Derick were directly hit.' The fallen tree struck her daughter, Leila Masters, and her boyfriend, Derick Caperton, causing severe injuries.
Leila suffered broken bones in her legs, ribs, and scapula, as well as a broken back in 12 places, some of which were severe. She underwent spinal surgery on Tuesday, her 10th birthday, and had her leg set. Doctors inserted a rod and screws from T3 to T11 in her spine. 'There are some questions about what recovery will look like in regards to movement,' the family's GoFundMe organizer wrote.
Caperton sustained a broken forearm, clavicle, leg, and ribs. As of Wednesday, he was still awaiting surgery and experiencing severe pain. 'Adrenaline is gone and he’s been sitting with multiple fractures and shattered bones,' the organizer noted.
Impact on the Family
Masters expressed her terror at the moment of the accident, fearing her daughter had died due to bleeding and injuries. She also mentioned that the family had to cancel a planned vacation to the Bahamas. 'Instead of her birthday celebration, we’re here fighting for her,' she said.
The GoFundMe campaign, set up to cover medical bills, missed work, and food during hospital stays, has been updated regularly. Leila's condition was described as 'doing incredible' by hospital staff after surgery. However, Caperton's surgery remained unscheduled, and he endured his worst day of pain.
Masters emphasized that no one was climbing the tree or acting improperly. 'We were just simply standing and talking and smiling one moment, and a tree had fallen on us in the next,' she wrote. The other adults and children who witnessed the incident are 'rightly traumatized,' she added.
Community Support
The family has asked for thoughts and prayers as they navigate a long and uncertain recovery. Both Leila and Caperton are expected to remain in the hospital for weeks.
