The accident in Delhi’s Kalkaji this morning, when a massive neem tree uprooted and crashed onto a rain-drenched road, killed 50-year-old Sudhir Kumar, leaving his 22-year-old daughter Priya critically injured, police reported. The tragedy, captured on CCTV near Paras Chowk in front of HDFC Bank, showed the tree collapsing onto unsuspecting commuters, including the father and daughter riding a motorcycle.

Sudhir, a caretaker at a DUSIB night shelter in old Delhi, succumbed to his injuries, while Priya, battling for her life, is under treatment at Safdarjung Trauma Centre. A video from the scene depicted Priya trapped between the fallen tree and the motorcycle, with bystanders, shielded by umbrellas, rushing to assist in the rescue.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari stated that the incident occurred around 9:50 AM. Local police responded promptly to a PCR call, launching immediate rescue operations. A JCB machine was deployed to extricate the victims, who were then rushed to the hospital via CATS Ambulance. The swift response ensured both were safely removed from the debris, though Sudhir could not be saved.

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Authorities secured the area, regulated traffic, and used a hydraulic crane to clear the fallen tree and restore normalcy. Municipal officials have been notified to assess the damage and conduct urgent pruning to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The tragedy underscores the dangers posed by aging roadside trees during heavy rains, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures across Delhi’s rain-soaked streets.

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