An incident at the Lesnaya Skazka recreation center near Yekaterinburg left a 30-year-old woman hospitalized in a coma after an old birch tree toppled onto the area where several visitors had gathered. The information comes from Edition of E1.ru. The tree fell as more than one vacationer stood beneath it at the same time, and according to the victim’s husband, the affected woman was accompanied by another family member under the same tree. While branches brushed a man nearby, the main impact struck the woman who had been the intended recipient of their shared shelter from the rain or sun.
The husband noted that her condition currently requires intensive care due to multiple fractures. He reported that the entertainment center offered some form of humanitarian assistance, but details of that aid remained unclear at the time of speaking with reporters. Describing the scene, he said they were not deep inside the forest, but only about a meter away from the gazebo visible in the surveillance footage, emphasizing the proximity of the danger to a seemingly safe assembly area.
A representative of the recreation center described the incident as an accident and denied any fault on the part of the staff. The center’s spokesperson stated that an ambulance was called immediately and that, while they wish Ekaterina a full recovery, they do not accept responsibility for what happened. The representative also conveyed a willingness to participate in the relief effort for the family during a media meeting, underscoring a commitment to cooperate with authorities and provide support as needed.
Earlier in another city, Samara, a separate incident occurred where a tree collapsed at a playground, causing a child to be injured. This sequence of events has raised questions about safety measures and maintenance practices at outdoor recreation spaces in the region and has prompted discussions about preventive checks and clear evacuation guidelines for visitors in similar settings. The ongoing investigations aim to determine the exact sequence of events, assess the maintenance status of trees near public gathering spots, and outline any obligations the facility may have in ensuring the safety of guests.
In the broader context, experts note that outdoor spaces near leisure facilities should undergo regular arborist assessments, with clear signage and routine inspections to minimize the risk of tree failures. They also encourage centers to have defined emergency response procedures, prompt medical access, and transparent communication with families affected by such accidents. As inquiries continue, the victims and their relatives await further updates, while the community watches closely to understand what safeguards will be adopted to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Attribution: information gathered from E1.ru reporting.