Portland Family Launches $29 Million Lawsuit Against High School and Friends of Trees After 14-Year-Old Dies During Tree Planting Event Amid Severe Weather Conditions

Portland Family Launches $29 Million Lawsuit Against High School and Friends of Trees After 14-Year-Old Dies During Tree Planting Event Amid Severe Weather Conditions

The heartbreaking story of a 14-year-old boy from Portland highlights a devastating loss that many believe could have been prevented.

Christopher Kelly’s untimely death has led to a $29 million lawsuit, claiming that his high school and a partnering organization put students in harm’s way by allowing them to plant trees during a thunderstorm.

A Day That Took a Turn for the Worse

On November 6, 2021, Christopher was participating in a school-sponsored community service project at the Sandy River Delta.

While he and around 24 other students from Central Catholic High School were planting trees, a severe storm was brewing nearby, with strong winds and thunder reported just a mile away.

According to a lawsuit filed by his mother, Eileen Kelly, the school and the organization, Friends of Trees, did little to safeguard the students despite the alarming weather forecasts.

When the storm hit, some students sought shelter under a tent while an arborist rushed to her car to escape the downpour.

Tragically, Christopher remained outside, continuing his work when a massive section of a black cottonwood tree trunk fell, striking him in the head.

The Aftermath of the Incident

Christopher was still alive when help arrived but sadly succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Eileen’s lawsuit asserts that the school and Friends of Trees should have either canceled the event or moved the students to a safe location once they heard thunder, as advised by the National Weather Service.

The suit also alleges a failure to provide safety helmets and a lack of a plan to ensure students’ safety for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap, which goes against guidelines from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Eileen is now seeking $29 million in damages for the wrongful death of her son.

Reactions from the Community

In response to the lawsuit, officials at Central Catholic High School expressed their condolences, stating that the community remains deeply saddened by Christopher’s death.

They acknowledged the lawsuit but refrained from commenting further.

Similarly, the executive director of Friends of Trees mentioned that they had just learned about the suit and declined to provide any comments.

Remembering Christopher

Christopher was adopted by the Kelly family in May 2010 and was known for his involvement in Taekwondo and Scouts USA, where he was eager to earn his black belt.

He had a passion for math and enjoyed solving challenging problems for his family, often outsmarting his older sisters.

His aunt shared with Inside Edition that he was a sweet, smiling child with a strong belief in helping others.

The loss of Christopher has had a profound impact on his family.

An online fundraiser was set up to cover his funeral expenses, raising over $25,000 before it was closed in January 2022.

Eileen expressed her plans to honor Christopher’s memory by taking some of his ashes to places he loved, like Diagon Alley at Universal Studios, and visiting NASA, a nod to their shared love of the Star Trek series.

Moving Forward

Eileen reflects on the pain of their loss, sharing that her family is gradually adjusting to their new reality.

With therapy appointments set for them all, they are taking things one day at a time, holding on to each other a little tighter as they navigate this heartbreaking journey.

TDPel Media

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