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Tree falls on vacationing family in Morro Bay

December 24, 2015

Morro Bay 4A large pine tree uprooted in Morro Bay Wednesday afternoon and fell on an SUV while a family of seven was inside. [KSBY]

Morro Bay fire officials estimated the tree was as tall as 100 feet. No one suffered any serious injuries, though.

The pine tree fell around 2 p.m. in the upper parking lot of Black Hill inside Morro Bay State Park. The family, which is from Arizona, was vacationing in the area at the time.

The tree smashed the SUV’s windshield, and branches came through the vehicle’s windows and sunroof. But, the vehicle structurally held most of the weight of the tree, Morro Bay Fire Captain Todd Gailey said.

No one had to go to the hospital. Most of the injuries suffered consisted of scrapes from broken glass and branches.

State parks officials say they believe recent rains and winds up to 35 mph uprooted the tree. The pine tree fell across a road and prevented three other vehicles from leaving the parking lot.

Crews responded to the area with chain saws to cut up the tree. Workers cleared the scene and the road reopened by 4 p.m.


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Revenge of the Christmas tree. Scary.


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This time the bark was worse than the bite. Great no one was hurt bad, will give them a great story to tell for years.


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Thankfully, no one was hurt. I wonder when the last time an arborist check the health of the trees inside the state park. I’m not sure how many if any Monterey pines are left in the park but they are notorious for developing pine pitch canker rendering the tree a hazard in the late stage of the disease.


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They did go through the State Campground there a few years ago and do extensive pruning.


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Excellent question, Pelican. Our HOA had work done on our trees 2 months ago, to prepare for a possible El Nino fandango. The arborist and his crew did an excellent job and, with the winds we’ve already had, I’m glad we funded the project.


A few months ago, there was an article in the LA Times about how it was nearly impossible to find a certified arborist–or any tree-trimming business– to do tree work because the were so backed up with scheduling.


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