STRONG WINDS BRING DOWN MANGO TREE, INJURING 2 AT HOHOLA

BY SHARON AGAVI

RECENT strong winds in Port Moresby have caused a large mango tree to fall onto a family home at Hohola 1 in Port Moresby at around 1:00am on Monday, injuring two residents and causing significant damage to the house.

The impact of the tree caused parts of the brick structure and other debris to collapse inside the home.

Resident Toka Aisi and his daughter, Cindy, sustained minor injuries from the falling debris.

St John Ambulance responded to the family’s emergency call, arriving at about 1:30am.

Trainee ambulance officers Tau Matuka and Fideliz Felix, together with Qualified Ambulance Officer Ongchen Aiwati, treated the two injured residents for lacerations.

Residents said the house, which was built in the 1960s, was unable to withstand the force of the mango tree.

A young family of four living in the same house narrowly escaped tragedy.

The mango tree fell directly onto the section of the house where they had been sleeping, causing part of the roof to collapse.

The children’s mother quickly woke her family and rushed them to safety moments after the tree struck.

Police attended the scene shortly after the incident and assessed the situation.

Meanwhile attempts to contact the National Disaster Office to assess the damage were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.