The parents of two children who tragically died after being hit by a falling tree have put up billboards to serve as a heartbreaking warning.
Crystal and Brian Clark, from Indiana, are determined to spread the word about the danger after their children were struck during a family camping trip.
The Clarks – whose kids Xander, nine, and Ziva, eight, died in 2022 – began a billboard campaign to keep their children’s spirit alive while also issuing a caution to other parents.
The sign paid tribute to their children, who were described as ‘very loving’ and ‘kindhearted,’ and nine more billboards have since been erected in their honor.
Crystal and Brian Clark, from Indiana, are determined to spread the word about the dangers of falling trees following their tragic loss
The Clarks – whose children Xander, nine, and Ziva, eight, died in 2022 – began a billboard campaign to keep their children’s spirit alive
The sign paid tribute to their two kids (pictured with Brian) who they described as being ‘very loving’ and ‘kindhearted’
The heartbreaking billboard features a photo of Xander and Ziva alongside a message that reads: ‘Check your trees! After storms, heavy rains and windy days.
‘You could save a life! Xander and Ziva Clark killed by a falling tree 4/23/22.’
In an interview with Good Morning America, Crystal explained that she first thought to rent a billboard a ‘a few months’ after her children died.
She wanted everyone to remember how great her kids were while also shedding light on the dangers of falling trees so that no other parent would have to go through what she did.
Brian explained that they never expected falling trees to be a danger to their children, but after their deaths, the couple discovered it was more common that they thought.
On April 23, 2022, the Clarks had gone for a golf ride on what seemed to be a sunny day.
Although the winds were strong, they didn’t think much of it until they were driving ‘under a canopy of trees’ and heard the noise that changed their lives forever.
Crystal explained the sound was like a ‘plane crashing into the woods.’
‘Next thing we know, the tree had fallen. It was too late for us to notice it and I shouted, “Our babies!” and Brian and I got off the golf cart and that’s where we saw that they were gone,’ she told GMA.
The couple’s two children Xander and Ziva died after being struck by a tree during a family camping trip. Pictured is the family on their son’s last birthday
In an interview with Good Morning America, Crystal explained that she first thought to rent a billboard a ‘a few months’ after her children died
The mother-of-two wanted everyone to remember how great her kids were while also shedding light on the dangers of falling trees
Brian explained that they never expected falling trees to be a danger to their children, but after their deaths, the couple discovered it wasn’t as uncommon as they thought
Brian said that seeing their children pinned under a tree was a sight they would never wish any parent to witness.
Following Xander and Ziva’s deaths, the couple began to hear from other families who had experienced similar heartbreaks.
Brian revealed that people reached out and said, ‘We know what you’re going through.’
The U.S. Forest Service says that trees can fall at any time, without warning, and advised people to be cautious on windy days or following storms.
It also notes that trees with ‘structural defects’ can have a lack of needles, bark or limbs.
Those with internal rot may have ‘conks, broken tops, basal scars, numerous downed limbs, ants, or an abundance of woodpecker holes.’
Brian said that seeing their children pinned under a tree was a sight they would never wish any parent to witness
After learning about the Clark family’s heartbreaking and inspiring story to turn a tragedy into a learning lesson for others, the Lamar Advertising Company sponsored nine billboards
Brian noted that him and Crystal ‘greatly appreciate’ the company’s generosity and hope that their incident can help send a message to other parents
‘Look up while on trails, especially when it’s windy. Stay out of the forest when there are strong winds that could blow down trees.
‘If you are already in the forest when winds kick up, head to a clearing out of reach of any potential falling trees,’ the agency says.
After learning about the Clark family’s efforts to turn a tragedy into a learning lesson for others, the Lamar Advertising Company decided to sponsor nine other billboards to honor their children.
‘The digital billboards actually went up last Thursday. It was kind of nice because that was my husband’s birthday. So that was a nice surprise for us,’ Crystal told GMA.
Brian noted that he and Crystal ‘greatly appreciate’ the company’s generosity and hope that their incident can help send a message to other parents.
‘If you save one more life, that to me, is a good thing,’ he said.
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