Falling tree injures 12 at college graduation ceremony, California school says

A tree toppled onto the audience at a college graduation ceremony, injuring 12 people, a California school reported.

The incident took place at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill near San Francisco at 6:54 p.m. Friday, May 23, the college said in a news release.

A tree near the school’s football field fell onto bystanders observing the graduation ceremony, the college said.

The falling tree injured approximately 12 people, the college said. Two were taken to a hospital and 10 others were treated at the scene.

The school said one other person went to the hospital “on their own accord.”

“Our thoughts are with all individuals and families affected by this incident, and we wish those injured a speedy recovery,” college officials said in the release.

Police and emergency crews already on campus for the ceremony aided the injured while more help arrived, the school said.

College maintenance workers have begun removing the tree, officials said. An investigation into the incident continues.

“We deeply regret that this incident occurred during this milestone occasion,” school officials said in the release. More than 2,440 students graduated from the college this year.

Pleasant Hill is about a 30-mile drive northeast from San Francisco.

This story was originally published May 25, 2025 at 12:04 PM with the headline "Falling tree injures 12 at college graduation ceremony, California school says."