Tree Trample: A Family’s Close Call on Penang Road
Picture this: a seven‑story‑tall rogue tree, a one‑metre‑wide trunk, just wants a bit of traffic freedom and decides to drop its bouquet right onto a white Audi. The result? A family, a son, and a heart‑pounding escape that could’ve gone sideways in a more dramatic way.
What Went Down?
- Location: Penang Road, near Singapore Shopping Centre
- Time: 5:45 p.m. – call for emergency services received right on the dot
- Cause: A huge rain‑tree, uprooted by loose roots, took down the whole scene for three lanes.
The Wreckage
So, the driver was cruising the second lane when a sudden “thump” sent the roof wobbly. Then a sharp branch came out of nowhere, puncturing the window, and the car’s interior was a mess. The windshield, left‑front window and the roof all got a graphic makeover.
Driver’s Take: “We were all stunned. Even now, we’re still jittery thinking about that close shave.” He added that if he’d been in the far‑left lane, the trunk could have finished the job.
Inside the car, the wife sustained cuts from the same branch, and their 12‑year‑old son ended up with glassy shards all over his face. The little guy even felt a pinch of pain along the back of his neck, prompting the family to head straight to Gleneagles Hospital for a check‑up.
Why Did It Happen?
Mr Liu (52), an eyewitness, noted that it wasn’t raining, but the wind was strong. He speculated that the roots of the tree probably had become loamy, making the whole structural domino ripe to topple.
Aftermath & Road Impact
- The incident triggered a traffic jam for roughly two hours.
- Workers had to clear the debris and pull out the fallen giant.
- Bus lines No. 7, 14, 16, 65, 111, 124, 162/162M, 174 and 175 all experienced delays heading towards Somerset Road.
- By about 7 p.m., normal operations resumed.
Another Ghost Elevator in Orchard
This isn’t the first time a tree’s newfound “grace” has led to a morning drama in Orchard. In November, driver Arvind Ramanlal (71) was lured into his car for a 10‑minute timeout by a fallen tree on Scotts Road. With on‑hand help from about 15 strangers—including a Grand Hyatt staff member—the pit stop ended with the driver safely out and the tree still demanding its daily share of the street.
Takeaway
While trees are generally beloved for their shade and ambiance, this incident reminds us that a single branch can turn a drive into a domino spectacle. Keep your windows up, eyes on the sky, and maybe consider opting for a smaller leafy neighbor next time.
