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Falling Phuket branch flattens five vehicles

Falling Phuket branch flattens five vehicles

PHUKET: Several people had a lucky escape when a huge branch fell from a 100-year-old banyan tree in Phuket Town around noon today, badly damaging three cars and two pick-up trucks parked in front of the Phuket Social Security Office (SSO) on Amphur Rd.


By Nattha Thepbamrung

Tuesday 12 March 2013 06:25 PM


 

No one was injured. But the branch crashed onto a Toyota Vios, a Toyota Vigo pick up truck, a Toyota Mighty X truck, a Mitsubishi Pajero, and a Honda City. It also damaged a motorbike with sidecar.

Thanusak Wonganan, the owner of the Toyota Mighty X, was inside his car when the branch fell. He said he was driving his truck, about to park it, when he heard a loud crack and the branch fell on his vehicle. Luckily two arms of the branch hit the front and back of the truck, leaving him sitting in the cab unharmed.

He showed a Buddha amulet he wears on a chain around his neck, and which he credited for keeping him safe.

The owner of the Vigo truck and his family also had a close escape. Wilfried Wiederschein from Germany said that he parked his car under the tree. As he walked to the office with his wife and son, he heard the cracking noise. He and his family ran for their lives.

The branch completely flattened the cab of Mr Wiederschein’s truck.

Officials brought in chain saws to clean up the mess and allow the owners to have the remains of their vehicles towed away.

The tree is venerated as a home for spirits, so is not likely to be cut down.

See video of the aftermath here