A California mother lost her arm after being struck by a falling palm tree at a mini golf course during a celebration for her son’s birthday.
Adela Magaña, 53, was left in agony following the ordeal at Golf N’ Stuff’s course in Ventura, a coastal city roughly 70 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
She was sitting on a bench as her husband and children began to play their third hole when a 40-foot palm tree fell on top of her, The Ventura County Star reports.
Her husband Amando and 22-year-old son Junior dashed over to help her after hearing a ‘screeching sound’ and a ‘big old thump’ during their game on August 6.
Amando, Junior and two Good Samaritans lifted the tree off of Adela, only to discover her mangled arm was gushing with blood.
‘We went straight into stopping the bleeding,’ Junior told the newspaper. ‘We got a belt, used it as a tourniquet, held it and had other people call 911.’
Paramedics rushed Adela to nearby Ventura County Medical Center where she underwent a surgery in hopes of saving her arm.
But despite surgeons’ best efforts, the nerves and blood vessels were too damaged and her arm had to be amputated just below her shoulder the next day.
Adela Magaña (second from left) lost her arm after a freak accident on a mini golf course where her family (pictured with her) was celebrating her son’s birthday
Adela Magaña was sitting on a bench at Golf N’ Stuff in Ventura County, California when a 40-foot palm tree fell on top of her
Adela is currently unable to speak, but can nod her head, her family claims.
She will need to undergo further surgeries in order to be able to use a prosthetic arm and will require intense rehabilitation.
Adela’s daughter Nancy has praised her mother for being a ‘very strong woman’ despite the ‘long journey’ to recovery she faces.
The family, especially 13-year-old Damien, will also need time to heal after witnessing such a traumatic event.
‘It’s a lot to take in as a 13-year-old,’ Nancy told the Star. ‘It’s always going to be there for him.’
The Magaña family has visited Golf N’ Stuff ‘countless times’ before because mini golf is Damien’s favorite activity.
Junior added that they had only gone to the amusement park in an attempt to make Damien’s mid-week birthday feel ‘special’.
Paramedics rushed Adela to nearby Ventura County Medical Center where she underwent a surgery in hopes of saving her arm. But the nerves and blood vessels were too damaged and her arm had to be amputated just below her shoulder
Golf N’ Stuff management declined to reply to the Star’s request for comment, but did confirm on August 7 that the course was open.
Daily Mail has also approached the facility for additional information.
Adela has four children and one grandchild. She works in an Automotive Racing Products factory and enjoys spending her free time with her family.