WATCH: A 12-year-old boy is fighting for his life in the Alberta’s Children’s Hospital following after a tree fell and landing on him while hiking at Johnston’s Canyon. Global’s Sarah Offin reports.
CALGARY – A 12-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after being struck by a falling tree in Banff National Park.
It happened along Johnston Canyon on Thursday afternoon.
A spokesperson for Parks Canada told Global News the tree dislodged and fell onto a section of railing along the trail.
“This is an unfortunate isolated incident,” said Public Relations and Communications Officer Christina Tricomi.
The boy was air lifted by Alpine Helicopters to hospital in Banff, where he was picked up by STARS Air Ambulance around 3:30 p.m. and transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary.
Fatima Kawaja with Stars Air Ambulance said the boy was in serious, life-threatening condition when they transported him.
At this point it’s unknown what caused the tree to collapse.
Parks Canada says they are conducting repairs and a hazardous tree assessment. The trail was still closed by 2:30 p.m. Friday as a boardwalk damaged in the incident was being repaired.
The trail will be closed until further notice.
With files from Sarah Offin
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