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Falling limb injures Belmont boy as winds whip state

E-mail|Link|Comments () April 29, 2010 07:30 PM

By Stefanie Geisler and Stewart Bishop, Globe Correspondents

A 9-year-old Belmont boy was injured today when he was struck by a falling tree limb dislodged by high winds, which also caused widespread power outages, authorities said.

The boy was rushed to a Boston hospital with serious injuries after he was hit and pinned by the limb, according to Police Captain J. Peter Hoerr.

National Grid spokesman Chris Mostyn said about 15,000 people were without power in New England, including 7,397 in Massachusetts, with most of those concentrated in the Eastern part of the state.

"We've got crews out helping people,'' Mostyn said. "They're clearing tree limbs caught in power lines and things like that."

Winds across the state could reach 30 miles per hour this evening, with gusts exceeding 45, according to the National Weather Service.

The service has issued a statewide wind advisory until 8 p.m. A gale advisory is also in effect along the coast. The high winds around the region are expected to diminish later tonight.