By The Informer staff

Five Derby residents were injured – three seriously – when a large tree fell during a swim meet in Winfield Friday afternoon.

Dr. Lorraine Alvarado, Paula Kim and Christina Squires sustained serious injuries when the tree fell. All sustained injuries to vertebrae and although each is making progress, they are reportedly facing long recuperation periods.

Alvarado is in a neck brace and as of press time on Monday was hospitalized at Wesley in fair condition.

Kim’s injuries included breaks at both ankles, a broken femur and four damaged vertebrae. She had surgery both Friday evening and Monday morning at Wesley Hospital and was also listed Monday in fair condition.

Squires had a head injury, a broken rib, an air pocket in her lung and a lower vertebrae which was compressed 50 percent. She had surgery on Saturday to fuse the compressed vertebrae to the ones directly above and below it, she said Monday.

Another vertebrae was fractured, but it and the air pocket in the lung are expected to heal on their own. Squires also was being watched due to a head injury, but she said her doctors were satisfied by Monday that it, too, was healing on its own. She said she had hoped to be released Monday, but she needs some improved mobility before that will happen.

Two students, Rachel Onken and Sara Owens were also injured when the tree fell. Onken suffered an injury to her shoulder, according to Ben Henwood, president of the Derby Dolphins, and was treated and released from the hospital in Winfield. Owens had scratches, but declined treatment and was able to compete in the remainder of the swim meet on Saturday.

In addition to those injured, Kim’s mother, Sandra Whittemore of Maize, was at the scene. The stress of the event caused her to be hospitalized after she traveled to Wesley Hospital with family members.