Family takes legal action after 8-year-old killed by falling tree branch in Calabasas

CALABASAS, Calif. (KABC) -- The parents of an 8-year-old who died after a tree branch fell on him at a park in Calabasas are taking legal action.

The deadly incident happened back in July as kids were waiting to get picked up from summer camp at King Gillette Ranch.

A child was killed and several others were injured after a tree branch fell on them at King Gillette Ranch, a park in Calabasas.

Lamar Matthew McGlothurn's family filed a claim Monday against the owners and operators of King Gillette Ranch, alleging they were negligent for "allowing a dangerous condition of public property to exist at the campsite despite explicit and repeated warnings about the tree's hazardous condition" before his death.

According to court documents, McGlothurn and other campers were instructed to gather beneath an oak tree that had previously shown signs of decay.

Just a few days before the boy's death, another large branch had snapped off the same tree. The landscaping company, which is also named in the claim, recommended thinning the canopy to "mitigate the risk."

Two other children and adults were also hurt.