SINGAPORE – A dramatic incident unfolded on Singapore’s East Coast Parkway (ECP) on November 29, when a gigantic tree branch snapped off and crashed onto multiple vehicles — sending three people to hospital and jolting rush-hour traffic.
The crash happened around 1:35 pm near the Fort Road exit. A trailer and five other vehicles were traveling towards the city when a tall vehicle struck a branch of a Rain Tree (Samanea saman) in the first lane. The impact caused the branch to snap off and rain down onto cars behind it.
Among the victims were a 71-year-old driver, his 32-year-old passenger, and another 70-year-old driver — all taken conscious to Raffles Hospital. Two others suffered minor injuries and declined hospital treatment.
When emergency crews arrived, they found a red multi-purpose vehicle with a massive tree branch lodged through its shattered windshield and roof — its front bumper torn away and the branch piercing deep into the cabin. Nearby, a white car bore heavy damage: a dented bonnet, dislodged grille, and a broken branch standing upright inside, the cab interior crushed and the windshield caved in.
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Traffic screeched to a halt as authorities cordoned off the two rightmost lanes of the expressway. By around 3:30 pm, crews had cleared debris — but not before the fallen branch triggered snarls extending beyond the Fort Road stretch.
Officials from the National Parks Board (NParks) responded, confirming the tree-branch snap and indicating that the rimmed vehicle’s strike against the rain tree caused a chain reaction. NParks has stated it will coordinate with relevant authorities to reach out to those impacted.
This unsettling episode serves as a stark reminder of how the everyday in a split second can turn perilous. For those who were hit by a branch that descended without warning, a routine drive became a narrow escape. May anyone affected recover swiftly, and may there be renewed care for roadside trees and safety checks long after the traffic cones have gone.
