Mayor distressed, shocked by tree death

Waipā Mayor Jim Mylchreest is shocked and distressed by the death of a woman pinned under a tree in Victoria Park in Cambridge this morning.

The healthy 80-year old tree, a Pin Oak, fell down in high winds, pinning a woman underneath. Police confirmed this afternoon that the elderly woman died in hospital.

Council arborists have inspected the tree and have confirmed all roots were healthy. There have been no previous concerns about the tree which is now being removed. Clean-up will continue next week.

Mylchreest was in Wellington today and said he was shocked to hear of the incident unfolding. At the same time, winds took a large branch off a Linden Lime tree in Hall Street, damaging parked cars and taking out power. There were no injuries.

“This is such a freakish incident and my heart goes out to family and friends. It’s really very hard to comprehend,” Mylchreest said.

“I do however want to thank those who saw both incidents unfold and who responded so quickly and professionally. Cambridge is a tight community and has shown that again today.”

Council contractors have been on site today at Victoria Park and have removed any disconnected branches from the canopy as a result of the weather event.

In Hall St, the tree with the broken limb has been felled and will be removed next week.