Plans are in place to fell the tree tomorrow at around 10:00. Earlier this week, a man was struck by a falling branch while walking through the García Sanabria park. A sizeable crane will be used for the operation, with part of Méndez Núñez street being affected.
Fortunately, a potential tragedy was averted on Tuesday in the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife at García Sanabria Park. Minutes before one in the afternoon, the Emergency and Security Coordinating Center (Cecoes) 1-1-2 of the Government of the Canary Islands received a report of a couple needing medical assistance after being hit by a large tree branch.
It was, in fact, a massive eucalyptus branch that unexpectedly collapsed on a Swiss couple in the bustling area of the park near the flower clock, a significant landmark for the locals.
While the outcome could have been more severe, a 31-year-old tourist was hospitalized at Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Hospital due to injuries sustained from the impact of the large branch. There is no update yet on the health status of his female companion from the same nationality.
EXPERT OPINION
According to an expert in contentious-administrative law, Víctor Medina, the former dean of the Bar Association of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the city council may bear responsibility for the incident at the García Sanabria Park. The specialist emphasized that the council has a duty to maintain and oversee parks like García Sanabria to prevent such incidents. “We need to examine the specifics of the case,” the lawyer stressed, “but an incident like this branch fall… we must be vigilant!” exclaimed the legal expert, noting that there were no active weather alerts or exceptional circumstances at play.
Today, the responsibility of Jardines falls under councilor Carlos Tarife (PP), known for unique initiatives such as monitoring neighbours’ waste disposal habits by sitting in a chair, as disclosed last week.
