Lucky Escape for Woman Rider as Tree Falls on Bike

PUDUCHERRY: A 27-year-old woman had a miraculous escape after a huge tree uprooted and fell while she was riding her scooter on the Rue Saint Agne here on Wednesday.The woman, Vanaja, was on her way to collect a copy of a local publication when the incident occurred at around 5.20 pm. As she reached the St Agnes Street, near Ambur Salai, a tree suddenly fell crushing the front portion of her scoter.

A visibly shaken Vanaja recalled, “I did not know what was happening. All of a sudden, the tree was in front of me with its main trunk almost touching my hand,”. Passers-by immediately came to the rescue and helped her to the side of the road.

Vanaja counted herself lucky to have escaped, but her hand was slightly swollen in the incident.A former councillor, K rishnamuthy, and an activist Samy told Express they informed police, who reached after nearly 20 minutes. Forest officials, who were also informed, did not reach even after 40 minutes, they charged.

Traffic was affected as the tree blocked the road, which also had barricades put by police to prevent demonstrators and protestors from marching to the assembly.Krishnamuthy said the branch of a tree had fallen in the area recently, and in spite of informing authorities about trees precariously protruding on to the road, no action was taken.