In a shocking incident in Adelaide’s southern suburbs, a mother sustained head injuries while her husband became trapped after a large tree branch unexpectedly collapsed onto their driveway.
Marilyn Fuss, 64, had just returned home to Aberfoyle Park, approximately 21km from the Adelaide CBD, when she heard a loud “almighty crack” — the only warning before the massive limb fell, striking her on the head and pinning her husband beneath it.
“I raised my hands instinctively to try to stop it, though I don’t know how that would have helped, and it just landed on my head,” Fuss recounted to 9News.
Emergency services, including Country Fire Service (CFS) crews, were called to the scene at Carmine Court around 6:30 PM (7 PM AEDT) to free her husband, 70, who was trapped under the branch. Neighbors provided assistance until paramedics arrived.
Witness Ros Huddleston described the scene, stating, “My neighbor was over here on the grass, bleeding profusely.” Fuss suffered a significant gash on her head, which required stapling.
Both victims were transported to Flinders Medical Centre for medical treatment.
“I suppose I feel fortunate to be alive,” Fuss expressed, noting that the firefighters estimated the fallen branch weighed about 100kg.
Local residents have previously voiced concerns about the tree to Onkaparinga Council. A spokesperson informed 9News that the council had plans to trim the branches in the upcoming weeks.
Fuss and her husband are advocating for regular inspections of trees in their vicinity to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
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The incident is reminiscent of a similar occurrence at the WOMADelaide festival in Adelaide’s Botanic Park earlier in the week, where two individuals were injured after a tree branch fell on festivalgoers. A 55-year-old man was taken to the hospital due to back injuries.
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