Family of Central Park tree fall victims thanks good Samaritans, first responders

Sandra Bookman reports on how the family injured in a tree fall in Central Park is thanking their rescuers.

CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (WABC) -- The family of the mother and children hit by a falling tree in Central Park earlier this week is thanking everyone who came to their rescue.

Anne Goldman, 39, was walking with her 4-year-old, 2-year-old and 1-month-old when the massive American elm came crashing down near West Drive and West 62nd street Tuesday. She suffered a fractured vertebrae, while her 2-year-old son suffered a fractured skull and the other two had facial bruises.

Goldman's father in-law, Bill Goldman, said the family's top priority is making sure everyone receives the best medical treatment possible.

PHOTOS: Fallen tree in Central Park injures 4

"West Drive at 62nd Steet is closed to vehicles, pedestrians & bicycles due to a fallen tree." @NYPDCentralPark tweetsnone

Good Samaritans help the woman who was trapped underneath the fallen tree in Central Park.none

A woman was trapped underneath a tree after it fell in Central Park.none

Woman holds a baby after a falling tree injures a woman with her children in Central Park.none

Good Samaritans try to rescue a woman trapped under the fallen Central Park tree.none

Large tree that fell on a mother and her children in Central Parknone

Aerial picture from the scene of the Central Park tree fallWABC

Spectators at the scene of the Central Park tree fallnone

In a news conference Wednesday, he thanked the NYPD, first responders and Good Samaritans for their assistance. They all worked to remove the branches from Anne Goldman and her children.

Watch the full news conference here:

Family thanks everyone for help after tree fall

The Central Park Conservancy said root rot caused the tree to topple. The tree had been inspected annually for the last six years and showed no signs of visible decay when inspected last year.

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