An elderly man had a narrow escape yesterday when a large tree branch fell on his moving car in Harare’s Avenues area. 71-year old James Murakata was driving along Mazowe Road after leaving Parirenyatwa Hospital when the accident occurred.
City council workers cutting down the tree failed to warn Murakata, resulting in the large branch crashing onto his Toyota Corolla. Murakata suffered an injury to his left leg.
Murakata said, “The workers cutting the tree never put up any signs to warn motorists. Instead, they accused me of trying to drive past as the branch was falling.”
Large, old trees lining the Avenues and Avondale areas have for years posed risks to motorists, with numerous incidents. Many drivers have been involved in an ongoing dispute with the City of Harare over the issue of aged, unsafe trees.
