Woman, grandson killed as tree falls on them

By Cuu Long December 2, 2022 | 06:44 pm PT

Heavy rains and strong winds caused a giant tree to fall on a woman and her grandson and crush them to death in the southern Soc Trang Province Friday.

Thach Thi Dep, 66, of Tran De District was driving a motorbike with the 12-year-old boy and also her nine-year-old granddaughter after picking them up from school at around 5:30 p.m. when a thunderstorm began.

They had almost reached their home when a Brazilian ironwood tree more than 15m tall was uprooted and fell on them. The root of tree has a diameter of around 1.5m.

The accident killed the boy on the spot.

Diep and the girl were rushed to the hospital but the woman succumbed to her injuries.

The motorbike driven by Thach Thi Dep gets stuck inside the trunk and branches of the tree after the deadly accident in Soc Trang Province on December 2, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Chau Thanh

The motorbike driven by Thach Thi Dep gets stuck inside the trunk and branches of a falling tree in Soc Trang Province on December 2, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Chau Thanh

The girl has injuries and is being treated.

According to the National Center for Hydro - Meteorological Forecasting, the southern region will receive showers accompanied by strong winds from December 2 to 12, partly under the influence of a low-pressure trough.