Authorities report multiple injuries following wagon overturn at Wisconsin apple orchard

More than two dozen people were injured, including three critically, after a wagon overturned at an apple orchard in Wisconsin, authorities said.

The incident was reported Wednesday morning at Bushel and a Peck Apple Orchard in Chippewa Falls.

Elementary school-age children, parents and other chaperones were on a field trip at the time and were on a wagon ride, according to Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes.

A tractor was pulling two wagons at a “low speed” in the orchard off of public roadways when the accident occurred, Hakes said.

One of the wagons began to lose control and turn sideways as it descended a hill and overturned, resulting in injuries to both children and adults, Hakes said.

“It’s a traumatic day for a lot of people,” Hakes told reporters during a press briefing Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency personnel were dispatched for a “tractor accident involving two hay wagons with kids and adults,” Chippewa Fire District Deputy Chief Cory Jeffers told reporters.

The fire department activated its mass casualty protocol so that outside agencies could help respond to the incident, Jeffers said. One helicopter from the Mayo Clinic was called in, he said.

Twenty-five individuals were transported from the scene to various agencies, Jeffers said. One patient was transported via the helicopter and 22 via ambulance, Hakes said. Others were also transported in personal vehicles, he said.

Three people have life-threatening injuries and five have serious injuries, according to Hakes.

Marshfield Medical Center-Eau Claire received seven patients from the incident who are being treated for minor to serious injuries, a spokesperson confirmed to ABC News.

Hakes said he believes all patients are in stable condition.

Authorities did not release additional details on the victims, including how many were children.

Hakes called the incident “heart-wrenching.”

“As a parent myself, it’s a parent’s greatest fear that something happens to their children,” he said.

He said he responded to the scene and helped calm the children and reunite them with their parents.

“The children were extremely brave, very resilient,” he added.

The scene has since been cleared, Jeffers said. All of the children who were still at the scene have been reunited with their families, he added.

The children attended St. Mark Lutheran School in Eau Claire, the school’s principal confirmed.

“At this point, we are focusing on reuniting the children with their caregivers,” Principal Peter Micheel said in a statement to ABC News. “Whenever we face a challenging time, we commit everything to the Lord’s care and trust his guiding hand.”

ABC News left a message with the orchard seeking comment.

Chippewa Falls is located about 12 miles northeast of Eau Claire.

ABC News’ Alexandra Faul contributed to this report.

Authorities in Wisconsin have reported multiple injuries following a wagon overturn at an apple orchard in the state. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at the popular orchard, which was bustling with visitors enjoying the fall harvest season.

According to witnesses at the scene, a wagon carrying several visitors overturned while navigating a steep hill on the orchard grounds. The passengers were thrown from the wagon as it tipped over, resulting in multiple injuries.

Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they found several individuals in need of medical attention. The injured were treated on-site before being transported to nearby hospitals for further care.

The exact number and severity of injuries have not been confirmed by authorities at this time, but it is believed that several individuals sustained serious injuries in the accident.

The cause of the wagon overturn is still under investigation, but authorities are looking into factors such as the condition of the wagon, the terrain of the orchard, and the speed at which the wagon was traveling.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions when participating in activities at orchards and other agricultural tourism destinations. Visitors should always follow guidelines provided by staff, remain seated and hold on securely during wagon rides, and be mindful of their surroundings to prevent accidents.

The owners of the apple orchard have expressed their deep concern for those injured in the accident and are cooperating fully with authorities in their investigation. They have also stated that they will be reviewing their safety protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

As the fall season continues and more visitors flock to apple orchards for apple picking and other activities, it is crucial for both visitors and orchard owners to prioritize safety above all else. By taking proper precautions and being vigilant while enjoying these seasonal attractions, we can help ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.