A few hours after a tree fell on a cyclist in Würzburg, the woman died from her serious injuries. The police announced this on Tuesday. It is still unclear why the approximately 20 meter high beech tree tipped over in the so-called Ringpark the day before. According to a city spokesman, the city’s trees are regularly checked for stability.
The beech tree fell on a bike path and sidewalk on Monday afternoon. A 25-year-old pedestrian suffered minor injuries. The 59-year-old cyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries, where she died during the night. The Würzburg police are investigating the accident in close consultation with the public prosecutor. At their request, a tree expert was also called in.
In July 2021, a maple tree fell in a playground in Augsburg and hit a small child and his mother. Both were seriously injured and the 20-month-old girl later died in hospital. The tree was infected with a fungus and suddenly fell over.
The Augsburg public prosecutor’s office then obtained a criminal order against a city tree inspector for negligent homicide and negligent bodily harm. Because he did not accept this, the man will be tried in the district court next Monday.