Update: July 28, 2026
A 15-year-old boy died Monday after a tree fell on him while attending Camp Widjiwagan.
The victim has been identified as Camden Robert Callihan.
Metro Police report that “two counselors were leading campers on a hike when they came across a tree that had fallen and was leaning against another tree above the trail. A counselor reported warning the campers not to touch the tree as they walked under it. Detectives were told that as the victim, Camden Robert Callihan, and a friend walked under the tree, the friend touched it in a pull-up motion, causing it to fall on Callihan. The two counselors and other campers lifted the tree off the victim. Emergency care was administered by camp staff. Callihan was rushed by ambulance to Vanderbilt where he died shortly after arrival.”
Metro Police have classified the incident as accidental.
Original Story:
A child is in critical condition after being struck by a falling tree Monday morning at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Antioch, WSMV reports.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed the incident happened at the camp on Smith Springs Road near Percy Priest Lake. The child was taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for treatment.
In a statement, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee said the child was injured during Teen Extreme Camp while on a group hike in the woods when a tree fell and struck the camper.
The YMCA said emergency protocols were immediately activated and a support team was sent to the camp to assist campers and staff affected by the incident. The organization said its focus is on communicating with the families involved and caring for those impacted while cooperating with authorities reviewing what happened.
No additional information has been released at this time.
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