Shimla, July 14
A man suffered serious injuries after a large dry pine tree suddenly collapsed onto a car near Nerwa in Shimla district on Tuesday morning, severely damaging the vehicle and triggering concerns over hazardous trees along hill roads.
According to officials and local residents, Hukam Chand, a resident of Shri Naina Devi area in Bilaspur district, was travelling with his nephew, Raman Kumar, who was on his way to join a new job in Nerwa. The accident occurred near Ward No. 7 when a massive dry pine tree fell from the hillside directly onto their Maruti Alto.
Eyewitnesses said the tree crashed onto the vehicle without warning, leaving the driver with no time to react. The impact crushed the car, prompting local residents to rush to the spot. After a strenuous rescue effort, they managed to pull the injured Raman Kumar out of the wreckage.
Raman Kumar sustained serious injuries to his arm and hand and was rushed to a nearby hospital by local residents. After receiving first aid, he was kept under medical observation. The car suffered extensive damage, with its roof, windows and body badly mangled.
The incident also disrupted traffic on the road for some time. After receiving information, the concerned department reached the site, removed the fallen tree and restored vehicular movement.
Following the incident, local residents urged the district administration and the Forest Department to conduct an immediate survey of dry and weakened trees standing along roads and in populated areas, particularly during the monsoon season, to prevent similar accidents.
