The Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for celebration and lantern-lit gatherings, took an unexpected turn for Admiralty residents when a towering tree collapsed near a playground on a Friday night. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this incident, according to The Straits Times.
The Startling Incident
On a serene Friday night, residents of Admiralty were gathered at a local playground to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, according to Shin Min Daily News.
However, their festivities were abruptly interrupted when a massive tree came crashing down near them. The incident occurred just after 9.20 pm.
Swift Response by Sembawang Town Council
Sembawang GRC MP Poh Li San shared that the Sembawang Town Council acted swiftly upon receiving the report of the fallen tree.
The town council’s department of horticulture arrived at the scene around 9.45 pm, accompanied by conservationists. Together, they worked to remove the 10-meter-tall tree, ensuring the safety of those present.
To expedite the operation, five workers and a lorry crane were deployed, successfully clearing the area by 10.45 pm.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses who were present at the playground during the incident shared their experiences. The Mid-Autumn Festival had brought many children and their parents to the area, all carrying lanterns for the occasion.
Mr. Zhuang, a resident, recounted, “I quickly looked out of the balcony and saw a tree falling downstairs. There were a group of children and adults in the playground at the time. Fortunately, no one was hit.” His swift action and the lack of injuries are indeed fortunate outcomes of this unexpected event.
Manny, a 66-year-old private hire driver, reported that he saw termites crawling out of the tree’s trunk and stump after it had fallen.
Hidden Dangers: Internal Decay and Termites
A startling revelation emerged as an arborist inspected the fallen tree on Saturday. The tree showed signs of internal decay and a termite infestation.
Ms. Poh shared her concerns, saying, “Our half-yearly inspection was not able to detect any problems with this tree, as no visible termite trail could be seen on its trunk, and also no signs of dieback or defoliation.”
Dieback, a gradual deterioration of a tree’s health, and defoliation, the process of leaves falling off a plant, are critical indicators of a tree’s condition. Unfortunately, these issues were not evident during routine inspections.
Ensuring Safety Moving Forward
In response to this incident, the town council has taken immediate action. They’ve engaged both an arborist and a pest control team to thoroughly inspect the surrounding trees for any signs of termites and to treat them accordingly.
Ms. Poh emphasized, “We will continue to monitor the trees in the estate in the next few months, especially with the strong winds during the year-end monsoon period. Safety is our top priority, and we will take all precautions to prevent such a reoccurrence.”