Mom of teen who died while planting trees sues school, organization for $29M

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - The mother of a teenage boy who died while helping plant trees with his school is now suing the school and the organization that put on the event.

Christopher Kelly, 14, was killed when a tree branch fell on him while he was planting trees in the Sandy River Delta on Nov. 5, 2021. His mother is now suing Central Catholic High School and “Friends of Trees” for $29 million.

Kelly’s mother says more should have been done to protect her son from the elements.

The lawsuit claims that the school and the group “Friends of Trees” didn’t do enough to protect students from bad weather, even though the forecast included possible thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service advises people to seek shelter when they hear thunder, and the lawsuit claims that the groups did not do that.

The lawsuit says Kelly was planting trees in order to fulfill service hours that are required for graduation at Central Catholic High School.

While planting trees, the lawsuit says there were strong wind gusts and thunder reported one mile away. It says some students who were not dressed for the elements were huddled under a tent, and an arborist with “Friends of Trees” went to her car to get out of the elements.

Kelly was continuing to plant trees when a large trunk section of a black cottonwood tree fell and hit him in the head. The lawsuit said he was alive and breathing prior to help arriving but later died at the scene.

The lawsuit claimed the school and “Friends of Trees” should have postponed or canceled the event with the forecast and should have moved volunteers into a safe shelter when thunder was present.

KPTV reached out to both Central Catholic High School and “Friends of Trees” on Monday morning for comment on the lawsuit.

Central Catholic sent the following statement:

“Our community was deeply saddened by the tragic death of freshman Christopher Kelly in 2021 and continues to share our sympathy with the Kelly family. We were made aware of the lawsuit on Friday and it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.”

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