Parents Sue Camp After Son's Tragic Death Under Falling Tree

An 8-year-old boy tragically lost his life at Camp Wildcraft in Calabasas when a large branch from an old oak tree snapped and fell on July 9. His parents, who witnessed the horrific event, have filed a lawsuit against the camp owners and the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA), which manages the King Gillette Ranch. The complaint asserts that the organizations were aware of the tree's decay and had received specific warnings about its condition.

According to the lawsuit, staff had expressed concerns about the tree and noted that a branch had fallen just a week prior to the fatal incident. Internal communications cited in the legal documents indicate that MRCA officials acknowledged the danger, with one stating they would not be able to sleep knowing a branch was poised to fall. Despite these warnings and arboricultural best practices suggesting the area be blocked off, children were allegedly encouraged to play directly beneath the hazardous tree.

The parents' lawsuit contends that this was not an unforeseeable act of nature but a preventable tragedy resulting from negligence. They are seeking justice for their son, Lamar McGlothurn, who was crushed to death in front of his parents. The MRCA has stated it is committed to a thorough investigation and will respond appropriately to the allegations as the litigation proceeds.