A fallen tree branch killed a 10-year-old girl while she was at a Federal Way birthday party on Saturday.

Samara J. Iereneo, of Burien, was playing outside with her friends at the Trellis Apartment complex, located at 2329 SW 352nd St., when intense winds caused several tree branches and limbs to scatter the roadways. Power outages were also abundant throughout the region.

According to the police report, at around noon, Samara’s friend noticed she had tripped on a branch and was laying on the ground. She walked up to Samara with another friend and realized she didn’t respond. She was on her back or side with a tree branch on top of her, they told police.

A witness and resident of the apartment complex was inside when he heard a tree branch snap followed by children screaming.

“He looked outside his window and saw Samara on her back with a tree on top of her,” the police report states.

The man ran outside and began CPR until police arrived.

The responding officer was flagged down by several children in the apartment complex and was led to a grassy area along a fence.

After retrieving his automated external defibrillator, he noticed Samara had a significant head wound. But the defibrillator advised a shock shouldn’t be given. The officer took over CPR while he instructed the man to place his T-shirt around the girl’s head, as she lost a lot of blood.

South King Fire and Rescue took the girl to a fire station where her family was able to pay their final respects.

The South King Fire and Rescue chaplain stayed with her family, who is from Hawaii. At the request of the girl’s father, Federal Way Police Department officers, who are also from Hawaii, responded to the scene to offer their support as well to the grieving family.

A fallen tree branch in this area of a Federal Way apartment killed a 10-year-old girl on Saturday during a windstorm. Courtesy of Federal Way Police Department