Overview
- Zakaria Bel Qaid, 9, died after a large tree struck the Winthrop Elementary playground during Monday dismissal.
- The two others hurt in the collapse, a student and an adult, have been discharged from area hospitals, according to school officials.
- Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office and Melrose police are investigating, and they have not tied the collapse to the gusty winds neighbors reported.
- The tree is reported to have come from the adjacent Phineas Upham House property, and the Upham Family Society says its trees were recently inspected and the fallen tree showed no outward risk.
- Counselors are supporting students and staff, a memorial is growing at the playground, and the family has directed donations to a fund benefiting the Green Mountain Academy.