Another tree accident. This time we're lucky

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STOMP received several pictures of a large branch that had fallen off an old tree in Toa Payoh Central on Saturday morning (9 June).

The fallen branch (on the right of the picture), blocked the left lane making it impassable to traffic.

Both Irene Boey, 42, a marketing executive and Allan Chang, 41, an IT consultant,had the same thoughts in mind when they witnessed the indicent - it was sheer luck that the branch did not land on a motorist or pedestrian.

Irene, who happened to be near the tree at the time of the accident was thankful she escaped any misfortune.

"I heard a loud cracking sound and the branch fell onto the main road and not on the pathway where I was," a relieved Irene told STOMP.

"It was really scary and came from nowhere as there were no strong winds at all."

Irene says while NParks has explained it maintains the trees along roads, more should be done.



When Allan spoke to STOMP, he could not over-emphasise just how lucky everyone was that no one was hurt.

His call if for all trees planted in older estates to be checked whether they look healthy or not.

Allan's email to STOMP described what happened on Saturday.

" On the morning of Saturday 9th June 2006, there was a loud bang sound like huge firecracker and the large branch of an old tree fell.

This was along Toa Payoh Central near a bus stop outside Block 177.

At different times of the day, this is a busy road will pedestrians and vehicles.

This time, the tree still stands, nobody was hurt, no vehicle had any accident.

The only inconvenience: the left lane of the road was not passable causing minor traffic jam.

The trees around are all of similar age.

The flats at the few Block 79s are still not occupied so there are less residents traffic.

The next time another tree or branch fall, will we be so fortunate again?"

Labels: Nature