#treedown CBD : Lge section of Fig tree fell onto 2cars College st. 2ppl trans hospital.
@NSWAmbulance
@7NewsSydney
pic.twitter.com/PBACJnjOVM — Paul Walker (@pdwnews)
February 25, 2015
A large branch fell on two cars this morning on the Hyde Park corner Park & College St's. Hope everyone is ok.
pic.twitter.com/Uu8kEjRmq5 — Billy Posters (@Aqualec)
February 25, 2015
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Two women have been taken to hospital after they were struck by a large tree branch next to Hyde Park in Sydney's CBD.
Police said up to three cars were damaged when the branch fell across the north-bound lanes of College Street just after 10.30am on Wednesday.
A witness said people were trapped when the branch fell on to a number of cars.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said two women, including one who was elderly, were assessed by paramedics at the scene and taken to St Vincent's Hospital in a stable condition.
The women were believed to be suffering from aches and pains, but were not believed to have been seriously injured.
A mother and her baby were freed from a car by pedestrians and passengers from a tourist bus shortly after the tree fell.
Their sedan was the first in small procession of cars stopped at traffic lights when the branch appeared to snap and fell on a number of cars.
The mother, infant and another female passenger did not appear to have any injuries.
"You better take some photos because you're going to have a hard time explaining what happened," an onlooker said before police and emergency services arrived on the scene.
A number of impatient drivers approaching the College Street and Park Street intersection were confused by the hold-up. Many jumped on their car horns instead of jumping out to assist.
"The tree is being removed. Lanes one and two are blocked and traffic is very slow," a police spokeswoman said.
Council workers were clearing away the debris.
The City of Sydney said in a statement that it constantly monitored the health of trees in Hyde Park, and removed trees when necessary.
A Hyde Park tree branch has fallen across College St onto 2 cars. A women was taken to hospital as a precaution. We are removing the tree. — City of Sydney (@cityofsydney)
February 25, 2015
We constantly monitor the health of the trees in the park. When a tree poses a risk we take action. Over last 10 yrs we've removed 40 trees. — City of Sydney (@cityofsydney)
February 25, 2015
- with Jenna Clarke