Bengaluru: A school teacher sustained critical injuries while another person was hurt after a large tree branch suddenly snapped and fell near Attiguppe Metro Station in Bengaluru on Wednesday afternoon, raising fresh concerns over the safety of ageing trees in the city.
The incident has triggered outrage among residents, who have accused civic authorities of failing to identify and prune hazardous trees despite repeated warnings.
Teacher suffers serious head and spinal injuries
The injured teacher has been identified as Balaji. According to the police, he had stopped his two-wheeler near the metro station to speak with a friend when a large dried branch unexpectedly broke off and fell on them.
Balaji suffered severe head injuries and spinal cord trauma, while his friend sustained minor injuries.
Bystanders rushed Balaji to a nearby hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. Doctors said his condition remains critical.
No rain or strong winds at the time
Police said there was no rain or strong wind when the incident occurred, indicating that the branch may have fallen due to the deteriorated condition of the tree rather than adverse weather.
The incident comes shortly after another tree-related tragedy in Karnataka, where two people lost their lives after a tree fell during heavy rains in Kodagu.
Residents demand immediate safety audit
The accident has drawn sharp criticism from local residents, who alleged negligence by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in maintaining ageing trees across the city.
Residents said several trees with dried and weakened branches continue to pose a serious threat to motorists and pedestrians, particularly during the monsoon season.
They have urged the civic body to conduct an immediate citywide audit of unsafe trees and undertake preventive pruning and maintenance to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.