Driver hospitalized after tree collapses and lands on Bentley

A 35-year-old driver was once trapped in his Bentley after a 20 meters’ tall tree planted by the slope at Kowloon Park collapsed and landed on the vehicle on Thursday. The driver was later rescued and sent to hospital. 

The incident occurred around 2.30 pm when the Bentley was traveling on Haiphong Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. After the tree collapsed, it lied still and occupied the two driving lanes of the road. 

The front of the car was serious damaged, the windshield and the sunroof both cracked, and the driver named Yiu was trapped inside the car. 

Firefighters later came to the rescue with a chainsaw after receiving a report. As Yiu successfully got out of the car with firefighters’ help, he said he felt dizzy and pain in his chest. He was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and has been discharged already. 

It is understood that the collapsed tree is a candlenut tree, which originates from the provinces of South China and tropical and subtropical Asia. 

Since 2004, the Register of Old and Valuable Trees has recorded nearly 500 trees throughout the city, including trees of large size and trees of precious or rare species. 

According to the Register, there are 91 old and valuable trees in the Yau Tsim Mong district. 

Over 70 old trees are located at Kowloon Park or in nearby areas, including 11 camphor trees on Haiphong Road. They were last inspected on October 10 last year.