Freak Accident at Graduation Ceremony Injures Roughly 12 People: ‘We Deeply Regret That This Incident Occurred'
People were injured when a tree fell at a graduation ceremony at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif., on May 23
EMT and police services were already at the ceremony, per the college's event protocols, and additional emergency services arrived 'within minutes' to aid the injured
None of the graduates were injured when the tree fellPeople were injured in a freak accident after a tree fell during a college graduation ceremony about 30 miles northeast of San Francisco.
The incident occurred at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif., on Friday, May 23, per a statement on the college's Facebook page.
'Earlier this evening at approximately 6:54 p.m. toward the end of the Diablo Valley College commencement ceremony, a tree adjacent to the football field fell. Bystanders who were watching the commencement ceremony were hit by the tree,' the statement read.
The statement also noted that 'approximately 12 people were treated for injuries,' and that two of those injured 'were transported to local hospitals for treatment. They were conscious and communicative at the time of transport.' The others were treated onsite and released, and the college stated that one other person went to the hospital 'on their own accord.'
EMT and police services were already on site due to the college's standard event protocols, and 'additional emergency services arrived within minutes to treat the injured individuals,' per the statement.
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'An evaluation of the circumstances surrounding this incident has begun and will continue in the days to come. The safety of our students, employees and visitors to our campus is our top priority. We deeply regret that this incident occurred during this milestone occasion,' the statement concluded.
Photos of the aftermath of the incident shared to local news outlet KTVU show crowds gathering around a large fallen tree on a walkway on campus.
In a statement to KTVU, Director of Communications for the Contra Costa Community College District Jennifer Ortega said that none of those injured were graduates, as the graduates were all onstage when the tree fell.
"We do not know the circumstances of why the tree fell," she told the outlet, adding, "We were able to complete the graduation, and an announcement was made for people to stay clear so that some response vehicles could get through."
PEOPLE reached out to Diablo Valley College as well as the Contra Costa County police and fire services on Saturday, May 24, but has not received an immediate response.
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