16-pound pine cone caused severe head injury, suit says; park officials post warning signs

A Navy veteran is suing after what his lawyer describes as a 16-pound pine cone fell and crushed his skull in San Francisco.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Sean Mace, a Navy veteran, was napping and reading underneath a bunya pine tree at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park when the 16-pound seed pod fell on him.

Mace is now suing the U.S. government for $5 million in damages, with his attorney noting that he has a severe brain injury as a result of the incident.

“This guy has an irreversible brain injury and he’s only in his mid-50s,” attorney Scott Johnson said, “He’s had two surgeries already and he is going to need a third.”

Time reports, “The grove with the tree in question has been fenced off and officials have added signs warning “Danger: Giant seed pod falling from tree.”

SFGate notes that bunya pines can grow pine cones up to enormous sizes, reaching nearly 16 inches in diameter and weighing up to 40 pounds.

Agencies/Canadajournal