A tree located between Lunt Hall and the Jacobs Center fell Thursday afternoon, injuring four University staff members. Evanston’s police department and fire department responded to the incident shortly past noon, temporarily redirecting traffic on Sheridan Road. 

In a tweet, the police department said the tree struck four individuals on the sidewalk. Three of them were transported to Evanston Hospital, one with serious injuries. One of the four individuals was released at the scene after being treated for less serious injuries.

All four work in the Global Poverty Research Lab at the Kellogg School of Management, according to a University press release.

As of 2:33 p.m, the three individuals transported to the hospital remain hospitalized. 

The University has re-opened access to the sidewalk on the east side of Sheridan Road between Foster Street and Garrett Place after it was closed for part of the afternoon. The immediate incident zone will remain blocked, while Sheridan Road remains open to vehicular traffic. 

An AlertNU notification sent to the Northwestern community at 4:56 p.m. said University arborists and landscapers have been checking the condition of other trees on campus.  

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are available. This story was last updated at 12:16 a.m. on Feb. 17 with details about the University’s response. 

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