Johnny Douglas, Municipal Manager said that "the tree fell at about 09:05. One of our law enforcement officers was dispatched to the scene where he rendered assistance until the provincial officers arrived. There were no injuries."
Fortunately traffic was not heavy at the time, and the Knysna Fire Department was able to quickly clear one lane of the road. The Knysna Traffic Department regulated drivers while the Knysna Fire Department chopped the rest of the old giant into blocks and removed it from the road surface.
Andries Jantjies, a Dam-se-Bos resident, said that he was returning home when the large tree measuring some 30 to 35m in height, suddenly collapsed as if from nowhere and crashed onto the highway. According to Jantjies, a hitch hiker called the Knysna Fire Department. He explained that the tree covered the entire width of the road, making it impossible for anybody to drive along that section of the N2.nobody could pass the section of road. "Luckily there were no other vehicles at the moment when the tree fell," said Jantjies.
It is understood that, although the rain and wind at the time were not excessive, the tree was quite old, and the wet, breezy weather further weakened its core, causing it to topple over. There are apparently several other trees similar in age in the vicinity, and this tree's demise follows that of another which fell over in March this year.
Responding to concerns that the old trees in the Kruisfontein area are a danger to residents and road users, Douglas said, "We will look into the possible removal of trees that pose a threat."
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A large pine tree obstructing traffic on the N2 on Sunday, December 5, was chopped into blocks for easier removal from the road surface.
