A Family’s Hike Turns into a Traumatic Experience
A family from South Carolina was enjoying a peaceful hike when an unexpected event turned their day into a nightmare. The incident occurred in Cedar Falls Park, near Greenville, where Kameron Masters and her boyfriend, Derick Caperton, were accompanied by their children and friends.
The group had reached the end of the trail and was discussing plans to visit Masters’ pool when they heard a sudden crack. In a split second, a tree fell on them, causing serious injuries to both Leila, Masters’ ten-year-old daughter, and Caperton.
Injuries and Medical Challenges
Leila suffered multiple fractures, including broken bones in her legs, ribs, and scapula. More seriously, her back was broken in 12 places, with some injuries described as severe. Masters shared a post on Facebook while her daughter was in the ICU, awaiting surgery. It was Leila’s tenth birthday, and the hike took place the day before.
Caperton also sustained significant injuries, including a broken forearm, clavicle, leg, and ribs. According to Masters, he was in considerable pain and waiting for his surgery to be scheduled.
Fundraising Efforts for Medical Expenses
A GoFundMe page was created to assist the family with medical bills, lost income, and expenses during their hospital stay and recovery. The fundraiser mentioned that both Leila and Caperton would need to remain in the hospital for several weeks, with a long and uncertain recovery process ahead.
The fundraising page has been regularly updated since its creation on Tuesday. Leila underwent spine surgery that day, and her leg was set. The updates indicated that she had a rod and screws installed from T3 to T11. There are still questions about how her recovery will affect her movement. The organizer of the GoFundMe, Kortnee Belue, expressed gratitude that there were no emergencies during the procedure. Leila will be in a full-body cast for a period.
In a later update on Tuesday night, Belue shared that Leila was doing incredibly well. However, Caperton is still waiting for surgery and faced his worst day of pain. He has multiple fractures and shattered bones, and the team is hoping for a surgical opening so he can begin proper healing.
Emotional Impact on the Family
Masters mentioned that all the adults and children who witnessed the accident were deeply traumatized. She emphasized that no one was climbing on the tree or doing anything inappropriate. They were simply standing and talking when the tree fell on them.
Masters recalled being terrified that her daughter might have died due to her bleeding, injuries, and being pinned under the tree. She also mentioned that the family had planned a vacation to the Bahamas in three weeks, which had to be canceled. Instead of celebrating Leila’s birthday, they are now fighting for her recovery.
A Call for Support
Masters urged people to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers. She hopes for continued support as they navigate this difficult time. The community has rallied around the family, showing compassion and offering assistance during this challenging period.
