Woman injured by downed tree remains in critical condition
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A 19-year-old woman remains in critical condition two days after she was injured when a tree — last trimmed over two years ago — came crashing down onto a bus stop near Ala Moana Center Monday night.
Officials say the girl was among four people waiting at the bus stop near the intersection of Atkinson and Ala Moana Blvd. when the large, Yellow Poinciana tree crashed down onto the bus shelter around 8:20 p.m. The shelter fell on top the girl, trapping her under the debris, EMS officials said.
First responders were able to pull the woman out from under the rubble, and she suffered a broken leg.
A city spokesperson said the age of the tree is being researched, but inspections to monitor the health of trees in city parks occurs on a regular cycle.
The tree that came down was last inspected in March but trimmed in September 2015. The spokesperson said, "Inspections don't always result in trimmings."
Three other people who were waiting at the bus stop were not injured.
City park crews began storm clean up at the park Tuesday. The Division of Urban Forestry has no plans for further tree removals at this time.
The incident came as much of the island saw heavy thundershowers due to severe weather brought on by a cold front.
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