Children released from hospital after tree limb accident in Overton Park | News

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A Memphis family injured when tree limbs fell at Overton Park is out of the hospital and talking about the terrifying ordeal.

The Battle family's two children were the last of seven people to be discharged from the hospital. The kids' parents say they are thankful their children are walking away with only a few stitches and bruises.

Seven-year-old Kaivion Battle and his 5-year-old sister were injured when two large tree limbs crashed their Labor Day picnic.

Kaivion was knocked unconsciousness but he says he remembers when the limb broke.

"It just fell and hit me in the head," he said.

Kaivion's father says he had just left the church picnic to pick his wife up from work when he was called to LeBonheur Children's Hospital.

"He was alert. He saw me and bust out crying because he was happy I was there," said Roderick Battle, Kaivion's father.

"To have a freak accident happen like this is something that we really feel sad about," said Memphis Chief Administrative Officer George Little.

Little says many park staff members check Overton Park trees each month.

"Overton, because of the presence of the golf course, there are parts of the park that will get extra attention," he explained.

Little says because of the threat of Hurricane Isaac, the park had been checked thoroughly for distressed trees but this was something difficult to foresee.

"This is one of those situations, particularly given the health of the tree and all that you just couldn't forecast but always be aware of your surroundings," he said.

The Battle family has been attending Holy Calling Fellowship Church for a long time. They say they have always had their church picnic in Overton Park and will likely continue to have celebrations there.

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