Car hit by fallen tree? NParks may cover claim

[Mustank]

There was a policy on protecting trees with a 100 cm girth.

 

Furthermore this Tembusu was 6.5m across. Tembusu is also a tree native to this region.

 

So it's definitely not a tree to chopped easily without approval from very top.

 

 

 

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2015-03-06_094924.html

 

 

A Chengal Pasir tree near Halton Road in Changi was felled by DTZ Debenham Tie Leung Property Management Services (DTZ) on 20 November 2002.1 The tree was believed to be the last of its species in Singapore.2 DTZ was found guilty of illegally felling the tree and was fined S$8,000 as well as ordered to pay a compensation of S$76,035 to the state.3 Logs from the felled tree were salvaged from a sawmill and turned into nine sculptures that were subsequently adopted by the Singapore Zoo.4

 

Discovery of the tree

In 2002, a team of nature enthusiasts surveying the Changi area came across an old tree, which was later identified by its binomial name Hopea sangal, a species of plant in the dipterocarp family (a group of timber trees).5 The tree is native to Singapore, parts of Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, and commonly used as timber.6 Nature enthusiasts believed that this was possibly the species from which Changi derived its name.7

 

Also known by its native names, Chengal Pasir and Chengal Mata Kuching, the tree was listed in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List as being critically endangered.8 The 1994 edition of the Singapore Red Data Book listed the tree as being extinct.9

 

The hopea sangal tree found in Changi was estimated to be at least 150 years old, about 35 m in height and with a girth of 330 cm.10 The tree was growing on state land behind 46 Halton Road, bounded by Upper Changi Road North and Changi Village.11 It was in one of the two tree conservation areas in Singapore, where permission from the National Parks Board (NParks) must be sought before a tree can be cut down.12 The Changi tree conservation area is bounded by Netheravon Road, Cranwell Road, Loyang Avenue, Loyang Way, Upper Changi Road North and Changi Village Road. The other tree conservation area is in the central part of Singapore.13

 

Felling of the tree

On 20 November 2002, the tree was felled by workers employed by DTZ. The company said that its officials had inspected the tree and found that it was termite-infested and had been struck by lightning. The tree was also leaning towards some DTZ-tenanted houses, and the company was of the view that the tree posed a danger to the public.14 DTZ also related an incident in December 2001 during which a nearby tree fell during a thunderstorm and damaged the roof of two houses.15 The company cited urgency of the situation and public safety as reasons for felling the tree without seeking prior permission from NParks.16

 

The felling of the tree came to light when N. Sivasothi â nature enthusiast and research officer at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research â discovered the stump while on his way to Pulau Ubin. By then the tree had already been cut, and he witnessed the trunk being sawn into two and carted onto a lorry.17

 

The then vice president of Nature Society (Singapore), Shawn Lum, refuted DTZâs claims that the tree was a public hazard. Lum said that the tree was still healthy despite being struck by lightning, and had just recently flowered â a phenomenon that takes place every three to 10 years for this particular species of tree. Lum also said that the tree could have lived for many more years if left undisturbed.18

 

Aftermath

The felling of the tree attracted much public attention. Members of the public wrote in to the press, expressing their disappointment with DTZâs actions and called for stricter measures to be taken to protect heritage trees. Some questioned whether DTZ officials were qualified to make the decision for the tree to be cut down, and said that the tree could have been treated to rid it of termites.19

 

In November 2002, NParks took DTZ to court for flouting the Parks and Trees Act as well as for failing to secure a permit to fell a rare tree in a gazetted conservation area. Under the act, it is an offence to fell any tree with a girth exceeding 1 m without permission.20

 

Preliminary assessments of the tree by NParks revealed that the tree did not pose any public danger. If DTZ had sought permission to fell the tree, NParks would have conducted a health and safety assessment to determine if felling was necessary. If the decision then was to save the tree, NParks would also advise the company on the best way to do so.21

 

NParks pointed out that there had been âconsiderable media coverage and publicityâ about the Parks and Trees Act and the tree conservation areas since 1995, and that firms like DTZ cannot claim ignorance of the laws and regulations protecting mature trees.22

 

In March 2003, DTZ pleaded guilty to the charge of felling the tree without permission, but its defence counsel Tan Chuan Thye blamed the offence on an overzealous building supervisor who was concerned about the safety of the tenants living in the two houses near the tree. The counsel also said that there was no sign that indicated the heritage significance of the tree, and that the company had not broken the law for financial gain. He requested that the court fine the company just S$5,000. Deputy Public Prosecutor Low Cheong Yeow argued that the tree was in a stable condition and had significant heritage value, and asked that the company be fined the maximum of S$10,000 instead.23

 

The company was eventually fined S$8,000, taking into account that DTZ was a first-time offender. The company was also ordered to pay S$76,035 as compensation to the state for loss of the tree.24

 

In passing the judgement, District Judge Kow Keng Siong said that the tree had been significant and was a âsilent witnessâ to the birth of the nation, and that despite weathering the forces of nature for more than 100 years, it could not survive âthe senseless act of manâ. Kow said that while the supervisor was altruistic in worrying about the safety of the tenants, the company should have considered how to save the tree instead of just cutting it down.25

 

A new lease of life

Nature lovers tracked the cut trunk of the tree to a sawmill where it was being chopped into pieces for furniture. NParks then took the logs away.26

 

In April 2003, NParks set up a committee to decide how the wood from the felled tree could be used. The committee comprised representatives from NParks, Sculpture Society, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Nature Society (Singapore) and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. The committee finally decided that nine pieces of wood would be sculpted into artworks by artists from the Sculpture Society.27

 

A sculpture symposium was held on 14 September 2003 to involve students and members of the public in the creation of these sculptures.28 The sculptures, measuring between 2 m and 5.6 m in height and each depicting a period of Singaporeâs history, were adopted by the Singapore Zoo.29 In 2005, the sculptures were displayed outside the zooâs Restaurants in the Wild.30

 

Despite being chopped down, the Chengal Pasir tree was able to spark new life and create awareness of the need for heritage tree conservation. Fortunately, prior to its felling, seeds were collected and 20 of these were given to NParks to be germinated and grown in their nursery.31 By 2010, saplings of the tree had been planted at the Singapore Zoo, Botanic Gardens, Changi Museum and the Singapore Changi Airport.32 In 2005, the Parks and Trees Act was amended to impose stiffer fines on developers and contractors who chop down protected trees.33

 

The felling of the Chengal Pasir tree was also an inspiration for a play, Tree Duet, by Paul Rae of theatre company Spell#7. First performed at The Substation in 2007 and then restaged at the Singapore Theatre Festival in 2008, the play weaved several stories of trees in Singapore, including the incident of the felled Chengal Pasir tree.34

Old tree gave its life for its seeds ☹

The ultimate expression of the unconditional love of a mother. Such a heavy heart after reading this from Shin Ming paper. RIP.

 

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ããè¿èµ·ç½è§æ²å§åçå¨æ¨å4æ¶25åï¼å°ç¹æ¯æ¤ç©å­åç交åä¹å°ï¼Symphony Stageï¼éè¿ãä¸æ£µ40ç±³é«çé¦ç°èæ¨ï¼Tembusuï¼ä¿ç§°ç»å¸æ ï¼çªç¶è¿æ ¹æèµ·åä¸ï¼å中ä¸åæ人å两åä¸å²å©´å­©ã

 

ããæ­»èæ¯38å²å°åº¦ç±å¦å¥³æ西å¡ï¼Radhika Angaraï¼ï¼è伤èåæ¯39å²æ³å½ç±ä¸å¤«ä»¥å1å²é¾å¤èï¼ä»¥åå¦ä¸å26å²ç®å女éã

[Gitanic]

just put a whistering device on top of some possible culprit trees,so when falling the loud whister will alert nearby people to siam.

 

no rule out all possibility,but at least alert.

[13177]

I believe root of all these is how much government willing to spend on it since there is no ROI involved. Although yes, there is no 100% chance to prevent it but if we increase regular checks such things could be prevented more. And I agree with Still2016, we have a reactive government rather than proactive, something which I believe we should not see for a million dollar pay cheque.

True, everytime we need to wait for something really serious to happen, someone die or someone got seriously injuried then they start to implement this rules, that policy to enforce and trying to salvage the situation. 

[1fast1]

Timely topic. Had a branch fall on my car yesterday. I can't see any obvious damage though.

 

I have the video.

Edited February 12, 2017 by Turboflat4

[Gitanic]

Timely topic. Had a branch fall on my car yesterday. I can't see any obvious damage though.

 

I have the video.

the branch didnt go into the exhaust so not considered outrage

[inlinesix]

Timely topic. Had a branch fall on my car yesterday. I can't see any obvious damage though.

 

I have the video.

 

Sent a bill to NParks?

[RadX]

Sent a bill to NParks?

For him shd be

 

Change car

[Throttle2]

For him shd be

 

Change car

No LAh, he will apply to LTA for conversion to Cabrio.

[Kyrios]

The ultimate expression of the unconditional love of a mother. Such a heavy heart after reading this from Shin Ming paper. RIP.

 

　　植物园古树轰然倒下酿一死四伤惨剧，38岁妈妈肉身护儿伤重不治，怀里1岁男婴奇迹生还。

 

　　这起罕见悲剧发生在昨午4时25分，地点是植物园内的交响乐台（Symphony Stage）附近。一棵40米高的香灰莉木（Tembusu，俗称登布树）突然连根拔起倒下，压中三名成人和两名一岁婴孩。

 

　　死者是38岁印度籍妇女拉西卡（Radhika Angara），而伤者则是39岁法国籍丈夫以及1岁龙凤胎，以及另一名26岁狮城女郎。

Are these tourists? If yes then high chance they can sue the gahmen without any restraint faced by us citizens...

[Yeobt]

there are alot of money spent on reseachers, soil specialists, species specialists and maintenance in the SBG. so this time there would be zero excuse for the Npark for this incident happened inside the SBG. but i'm sure there are insurance coverage for public liabilities.  

[Sosaria]

just now while driving, all the trees and overhanging branches suddenly look very scary.

 

i know trees everywhere is a LKY legacy and is very pretty, but is there a reason why many cities do not have big trees along the sides of their roads? apart from falling trees as the trees age, casualties from cars wrapping trees have also been fairly common.

You give the old man too much credit ... trees by the roadside is not something that he dreamed up.

 

It is a legacy from colonial british times.

 

If you drive in Penang, you will also see same scene, large old trees with overhanging branches shading the road.

[Atonchia]

Are these tourists? If yes then high chance they can sue the gahmen without any restraint faced by us citizens...

Not a tourist.

 

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/woman-killed-in-tembusu-tree-accident-worked-at-mastercard/3512970.html

 

 

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News

Woman killed in Tembusu tree accident worked at MasterCard

Posted 12 Feb 2017 17:56 Updated 12 Feb 2017 23:13

VIDEOSPHOTOS

 

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SINGAPORE: The 38-year-old woman who was killed after a massive Tembusu tree toppled at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on Saturday (Feb 12) is Indian national Radhika Angara, Channel NewsAsia understands.

 

Ms Angara last worked for global payment network MasterCard, where she was Regional Digital Marketing Head for Asia Pacific. Prior to that, she was with social and mobile payment platform Fastacash.

 

Her husband, French national Jerome Rouch-Sirech, 39, and their children - one-year-old twins - were also injured in the accident. Mr Rouch-Sirech's LinkedIn profile shows he is head of retail for sportswear brand Puma Southeast Asia.

 

Channel NewsAsia understands that the three have been discharged from National University Hospital (NUH) where they were being treated.

 

A 26-year-old Singaporean woman, who was also injured by the fallen tree, has been discharged from NUH as well.

 

Commenting on the accident in a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: "Our hearts go out to the casualties and their families."

 

In a statement, MasterCard said Ms Angara joined the company close to four months ago, and described her as a highly talented professional and "a rising star in her field".

 

"She had an energy and warmth that won her the respect of her peers and managers alike," said MasterCard senior vice president for Asia Pacific communications, Georgette Tan.

 

Mastercard added that it is working to provide support to Ms Angara's family through its employee assistance fund as an immediate first step, and will provide additional help through other means in the coming weeks.

 

Fastacash CEO Mark Carter said that Ms Angara had been a pivotal member of the organisation's management team, calling her "an inspirational leader who garnered huge respect from all whom knew her".

 

"Radhika was always there to support colleagues through the Fastacash journey and will be deeply missed. Our condolences and deepest sympathies go to her family at this sad time," Mr Carter said.

 

Puma also released an official statement to express sympathy for the family's loss.

 

"We have extended our deepest sympathies to Jerome on the passing of his wife, and are committed to offering full support to the family during this difficult time," Puma said.

 

NParks said it is investigating why the tree fell. It added that the other trees in the area are safe, and that it is conducting more checks on all the heritage trees in the Botanic Gardens.

 

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the fact that Ms Angara was no longer working for Fastacash at the time of her death.

[Victor68]

Tree felling is an act of mother nature, nobody could predict it. Looking at the last one that fell, the roots are almost non existence. However, if it falls because of works around it, like road excavation that damages its roots, then it is human problems.

 

There are also groups of people that insist of 'saving' trees despite the danger. Trees in buildup areas in the city are dangerous. While I do recognize that it may take them hundreds of years to grow, if you want to develop and that tree has a safety issue, you got not choice. What may be a compromise is to require the developer to plant additional trees to 'compensate' for the lost shading.

 

Aborist certifying trees are safe should be made responsible for their certification. My 2-cent input.

[RadX]

meanwhile, insurance agents jin desperate for business and no class whatsoever

 

 

[Watwheels]

meanwhile, insurance agents jin desperate for business and no class whatsoever

 

 

IMG_0898.JPG

 

The way they imply also sends the wrong message like buying the insurance coverage there will be some kinda forceshield to protect ppl from harm to have that "peace of mind". As a matter of fact it doesn't. It only covers the ppl you love in case something bad happens. It does not make them immune to such accidents. The way they write also cmi. That's why they look so despo. Trying too hard.

[RadX]

The way they imply also sends the wrong message like buying the insurance coverage there will be some kinda forceshield to protect ppl from harm to have that "peace of mind". As a matter of fact it doesn't. It only covers the ppl you love in case something bad happens. It does not make them immune to such accidents. The way they write also cmi. That's why they look so despo. Trying too hard.

 

damn insensi

[Watwheels]

damn insensi

 

Sigh. The irony.

Maybe that lady's intention is good just the wrong way to express it. Bad choices of words in the time like this.

[Count-Bracula]

damn insensi

tive.