The man is in fair condition after suffering serious injuries, officials said.
File photo of South Mountain Reservation. (John O'Boyle | The Star-Ledger)MILLBURN -- A South Orange man who was seriously injured when a tree fell on him at an Essex County park Thursday afternoon was in fair condition at University Hospital Friday morning, hospital officials confirmed.
Essex County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kevin Lynch said the weather may have contributed to bringing down the tree at South Mountain Reservation Wednesday when the 51-year-old man was walking nearby.
"According to (a) female companion, (a) gust of wind preceded (the) tree falling down," Lynch said.
"All of (New Jersey) took a lot of water/rainfall the day before, which may have been a factor."
The man sustained serious facial and other injuries when the tree fell and struck him at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday, authorities said. After being rescued by first responders from West Orange, Millburn, and the sheriff's office, he was taken to University Hospital in Newark, officials said.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
