Playground Structure That Was Site Of Tragic Accident Removed From Melrose School

MELROSE, MA — The playground structure that was the site of a tragic accident last month has been removed from Winthrop Elementary School.

Zakaria Bel-Qaid, 9, was one of three taken to the hospital after the incident on Monday, May 4 when a tree fell on the playground. School and city officials announced the next morning that Bel-Qaid had succumbed to his injuries. According to his family, the boy spent his last moments playing tag with his younger sister and friends. What started out as just a few offerings at the outer gate of the school on 162 First St. quickly became an overwhelming tribute to the student that grew throughout multiple weeks.

The tree was located on the property of the neighboring Phineas Upham House at 55 Upham St. The home was built in the early 18th century and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990. Upham Family Society President Eda George said that the trees are regularly inspected and that three other trees were removed from the property just days before the incident.

The playground, which had been closed off to the school since the accident, has been fully removed since at least Saturday, May 30. The area was still cordoned off around the perimeter of where the structure once stood, and Department of Public Works cones stood near the far left entrance of the schoolyard. Two swing sets that are separate from the main area remain standing.

Melrose police told Patch that it did not know exactly when the structure was disassembled and removed. City and school leaders could not be reached for comment.

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