CHESTER, Va. -- A child was rushed to the hospital in critical condition Friday morning after a tree fell on him as he slept in his family's Chester home.
Rescue crews were called to the Cliffside Drive home at about 2 a.m. after strong wind gusts toppled the tree.
Those rescue crews pulled the six-year-old boy from the house and transported the child to VCU Medical Center.
Chesterfield Police Lt. Brad Conner said the child did not have a pulse when he was rescued. First responders were able to regain a pulse en route to the hospital.
Firefighters stabilized the large tree with wood blocks prior to cutting the legs off the boy's bed to free him, according to Chesterfield Fire.
Jeffrey Bustillo, who lives next door, said the boy was motionless when he was taken to the ambulance.
"I saw his face and it wasn't moving," Bustillo recounted. "He wasn’t breathing or blinking. I hope he’s okay."
The tree also partially damaged the Bustillo's family home next door, but no one was injured.
"If it fell in the middle of the trailer, I don’t know if I would be standing here right now," Bustillo said.
A major nor’easter storm off the Virginia coast has resulted in a big increase in wind speeds.
Advisories and warnings have been issued for Friday into Saturday. Wind speeds will gradually decrease Saturday afternoon, and will be much lighter on Sunday.
This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips and photos here.
