Two hospitalised after tree fell on marquee in grounds of Mayo hotel

Two Mayo hotel staff have been hospitalised with injuries today when a large branch of a tree came crashing down on a marquee where they were working.

Emergency teams rushed to the Mount Falcon Estate, Ballina, following the incident around lunchtime.

A statement this evening from the owners of the luxury resort explained that two members of staff preparing for a hotel function sustained injuries when the tree branch fell on the marquee, which is being used as a café.

The victims were taken by ambulance to Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar where they are recovering.

A spokesperson for the resort told Midwest News this evening that the two injured staff members are undergoing scans at the hospital and wished them both well.

She thanked the emergency services for their rapid response to the freak accident that occurred.

She also confirmed that the hotel resort will be closed to the public tonight.

An onlooker, who does not wish to be named, described scenes of panic and horror in the immediate aftermath of the tree fall.

“I was about 40 yards away”, the eyewitness recalled.

“I heard a huge crash. At first I thought it was thunder. There was immediate panic. People were screaming and running in all directions. It’s an absolute miracle that more people weren’t injured."

Work teams have been busy afternoon clearing the fallen timber from the marquee site.