Tree Falls, Seriously Injures Pedestrian Near The Capitol

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Tree Falls, Seriously Injures Pedestrian Near The Capitol

by Rachel Sadon in News on Apr 18, 2017 11:04 am

Part of a large tree collapsed this morning at the corner of Independence Avenue and First Street SE, falling on a man. He has been taken to the hospital in very critical condition, according to D.C. Fire and EMS.

The tree fell around 9:15 a.m., near the Cannon House Office Building, just down the street from the U.S. Capitol. Independence Avenue has been closed to traffic* between First Street SW to First Street SE.

Reporters on the scene say that workers were preparing to remove the remainder of the tree as additional branches fell down on their own.

*

Link to tweet

[elleng]

1. Oh no!

A friend of mine/ours died from similar injuries, in SE DC 20+ years ago. She was in her car at the time. Fortunately her children weren't injured.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

2. About two weeks ago a similar accident occurred here in Palm Springs

It was severely windy and this man was playing golf (why in a windstorm I'll never know, but I'm not a golfer) when a eucalyptus fell on his golf cart, killing him.

I wonder if the rest of his foursome went ahead and played out the round.

[murielm99]

3. We have had three huge trees

removed from our yard because they were dead and dangerous. They were very old.

We are planting new trees. It is expensive.