Huge tembusu tree crashes at Singapore Botanic Gardens, killing 1 and injuring 4

[Mr.Cyan]

For Earth Changes

This news is sad (condolences to the victim's family) - and also a bit freaky, as I regularly walk by this tree a few times a month - and it is one of the sturdiest Dipterocarps that I have seen.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/huge-tembusu-tree-crashes-at-singapore-botanic-gardens-killing-1-and-injuring-4

What began as a stroll in the Singapore Botanic Gardens yesterday took a horrific turn when a 40m tembusu heritage tree crashed onto unsuspecting visitors, leaving one Indian national dead and four other people injured, including children.

Mr Jonathan Ang, 29, who was sitting 30m away, described a cracking noise that "sounded like thunder" at about 4.25pm. Just seconds later, the tree hit the ground, bringing down nearby palm trees.

The tree, which was more than 270 years old, landed on a woman from India, pinning her face down. Her husband, a French national, whose head was bleeding after being hit by branches, was heard shouting for his wife.

Other visitors rushed to her aid. "One, two, three push," they shouted as they heaved the tree off her. When it did roll away, Mr Ang saw the victim's limp body and her husband sitting in shock by her side. By then, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers had arrived and the crowd was dispersed.