Second tree collapse injures eight as crowd gathers at Santacruz incident site

The two uprooted trees on Relief Road behind SNDT College in Santacruz West. Pics/By Special Arrangement

What began as a crowd gathering to view an uprooted tree nearly turned into a tragedy when a second full-grown tree came crashing down on bystanders minutes later in Santacruz West on Thursday afternoon. Eight people were injured in the freak incident on Relief Road behind SNDT College, though all escaped with minor injuries, according to hospital sources.

Eyewitness account

One of the injured, who suffered a fractured shoulder, said he rushed to the spot after being alerted by his watchman.

"I stepped down and found that a small crowd had already gathered, and luckily, no one was injured. The next thing I knew, there was a deafening cracking sound. I tried to run, but slipped and injured my shoulder. Moments later, I found myself trapped under branches. Construction workers helped pull us out."

He said the pain was so severe that he almost fainted. The injured also faced delays reaching the hospital because of traffic on the stretch connecting the accident site to SV Road. "We had to take a shortcut through the Santacruz bus depot and request security staff to let us through because it was a medical emergency."

The incident

Where: Relief Road, behind SNDT College, Santacruz West
When: Around 1.30 pm on Thursday
Injured: Eight
Hospital: Nanavati Max Hospital
Condition: All discharged after primary treatment

How it unfolded

First tree falls
Residents heard a loud crash and found a full-grown tree lying across the 90-feet road connecting Juhu Tara Road with Pawan Hans quarters and Juhu Airport.

Crowd gathers
With no one initially injured, local residents and passers-by stopped to inspect the fallen tree.

Another crash
Within minutes, a second full-grown tree, located inside a private property undergoing redevelopment, fell onto the crowd.

Rescue
Construction workers rushed to help people trapped under branches before all eight injured people were taken to Nanavati Max Hospital.

Corporator speaks

Hetal Gala, BMC Corporator, Ward 97

According to Gala:
>> One tree stood on the main road and had been trimmed recently.
>> The second tree was inside a private property undergoing redevelopment.
>> All eight injured received immediate medical attention and are out of danger.

The site

Location: Relief Road, behind SNDT College, Santacruz West

The road connects:
>> Juhu Tara Road
>> Pawan Hans quarters
>> Juhu Airport

Hospital update
Sources at Nanavati Max Hospital said all victims suffered minor injuries and were discharged after receiving primary treatment.

Official response
K West Assistant Municipal Commissioner Chakarpani Alle was unavailable for comment.