Friday 21 February 2014

Tragedy


Driving home today I heard radio reports of an adult and several children pinned by a fallen tree branch at a school in north-west Sydney. The branch was so large that it was mistakenly taken to be an entire tree by observers at the site. Later reports stated the adult and children had been rescued and taken to hospital. One child, aged 8, was said to be in a critical condition.

Sadly, that child has died. Less than three hours after the incident.

How shocking is the thought that a child could be in the expected safety of their school and suffer a fatal accident? How must the child's family feel at this moment?

Hearing the news of a fallen tree my mind immediately turned to the stories you hear about councils refusing pleas to have trees considered to be a risk by virtue of their location or condition managed or removed. Hopefully this does not prove to have been a factor in this awful incident however radio stations are already taking calls suggesting otherwise.

An awful tragedy.

5 comments:

  1. That is sad news, but how often does it happen? Can we assume it was a eucalypt? They are best left in the bush. You haven't been listening to 2GB have you?

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    1. Andrew, it looked like a Eucalypt from what I saw on television.

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  2. So sad, I can remember growing up and being told never camp under large trees. I am surprised they would have such large trees in a school yard.
    We have large gum trees in our backyard & it is surprising how big some of the branches are that fall.

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    Replies
    1. Disco, the branch seemed enormous from the brief glimpse I saw of it on television.

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  3. Wow what a big tree . I have seen that before. Amazing but dangerous.

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