Investigation Underway Into Tree That Fell In Bryant Park, Injuring 5

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Department of Parks and Recreation is investigating after a tree snapped in Bryant Park, crashing down on visitors and injuring five people.

It was around 4 p.m. on Friday when two large, heavy limbs in a Y configuration struck five parkgoers, some of which became pinned underneath.

Photos: Tree Falls In Bryant Park

With Labor Day weekend in full swing, some visitors told CBS2's Ilana Gold they are nervous.

"I come every day to play chess over there," said Youssef Henen. "(Gold: Are you worried it's going to happen again?) I do believe so."

Three women and two men were rushed to area hospitals. Several of them suffered back and neck injuries.

"I heard the crash. The tree literally went to the side," said witness Lyndsey Dore.

Dore ran over to help, telling victims to stay calm and still as they waited for paramedics to arrive.

"The girl was on the floor. I needed to be there and comfort her," Dore said.

Emergency responders said that victim was the most seriously injured, suffering a broken arm.

Dore said she did whatever she could to comfort her.

"It was very shocking. She was in shock. I'm still in shock now," Dore said.

Parks workers carved up the tree into sections, cleared the debris and removed the trunk.

Now, it's a matter of figuring out why it happened.

Tree expert Bill Logan, president of Urban Arborists, said it's possible decay developed deep in the trunk.

"It may have happened from a past wound from storm damage, a pruning wound or a wound that allowed decay to get in the tree," Logan said. "Sometimes those kinda of problems are visible on the surface of the tree and sometimes they're not."

Logan said the trees in Bryant Park are well inspected. The investigation into the cause is ongoing.