Families recount narrow escape after massive tree falls
Residents of three houses that were damaged by the falling of a 50-metre-tall tree during a rainstorm on Sunday night in Chaiyaphum’s Muang district recalled their narrow escape durin the ordeal.
Sawang Pirom, 57, said he and wife and children had run out of their house when the tree, along with another mango tree, fell onto their home at 9pm.
“The rainstorm was causing tree branches to shake violently so we decided to all sleep in the ground floor instead of our second-floor bedrooms. It was a good call because minutes later the trees fell on to our home. We ran out to call for help amid the rain. The fallen trees pulled down power lines, causing a blackout too,” he said.
Penchan Chalermpol, 66, said she was helping her 90-year-old mother to the bathroom when the tree fell and punctured the bathroom roof with a large branch. “It’s very lucky that we weren’t harmed,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tambon Ban Khai Muen Phaew mayor Sanchai Promsit said officials had already been dispatched to remove the fallen tree.
He added that officials would also inspect damage at the residents’ homes in the affected area to provide aid in line with civil service regulations.
He warned that people with houses located near large trees should trim their branches or call the municipality for help as a precaution during the rainy season.
