OWEN COUNTY, Ind. – Two siblings from Indianapolis died in Owen County after a falling tree hit them while they were riding with their parents in a golf cart over the weekend.

According to the Owen County Sheriff’s Office, 911 dispatchers received a call around 2 p.m. Saturday that two children had been injured at Indian Oaks Campground in Taylor Township.

When deputies arrived, they found an 8-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy suffering from traumatic injuries.

The siblings, from Indianapolis, were riding in a golf cart with their parents when strong winds toppled what police described as a dead tree, which fell and hit them. The tree also damaged a nearby vehicle, police said.

The Owen County Coroner’s Office said both children died from blunt force trauma and ruled the deaths accidental. The coroner didn’t release the victims’ names.

Their parents were not hurt.

On Monday, MSD of Wayne Township released a statement about the incident. Both children were elementary students in the district.

The MSD of Wayne Township was heartbroken to learn of the deaths of two elementary students over the weekend as a result of an accident while at a campground with their parents.  We are working with the families involved to provide support during this terribly challenging time.  Additional resources are being provided for the students and staff impacted as they grieve and mourn these losses.  We are deeply appreciative of the outreach from so many in our community and around the state.    

Other responding agencies included Owen County EMS, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Owen County Coroner’s Office, Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department and Owen County Rescue.