2-year-old recovers after fallen tree branch severed arm in Montgomery County; investigation into incident begins

CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WPVI) – A 2-year-old boy is recovering after a large tree branch fell on his arm and severed it in Montgomery County on Saturday.

It happened around 6 p.m. at a home on Chandler Road in Cheltenham Township.

According to authorities, the boy was at a birthday party when the incident occurred.

He was taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where his arm was later amputated. The boy was in critical condition.

WATCH HERE: 2-year-old trapped and injured under fallen tree branch in Montgomery County

This incident was not the only one in which branches broke off unexpectedly over the weekend.

Residents in the area told Action News they were enjoying their evening on Saturday when they heard a loud “bang.”

A tree unexpectedly broke in half, fell on power lines and caused a massive explosion. There were also several power outages, which PECO later restored within a few hours.

Another resident said a tree had also fallen in his backyard during the week.

Some believe that hot weather is a contributing factor.

“It’s been kind of crazy. You don’t expect something like this unless it’s a windy day. It’s just completely still, hot and dry,” said Marcie McGoldrick of Wyndmoor. “I’d like to see some rain. I think that’s something we need to be aware of that I hadn’t thought of before.”

According to police, the incident in which the boy was injured by the branch was apparently an unfortunate coincidence.

Authorities, however, say the incident is currently under investigation and an arborist will examine the tree on Monday.

Investigators hope the arborist will determine why the branch fell and whether recent heat and storms played a role.