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Multiple Ficus Trees Fall Around San Francisco, Trapping 1 Pedestrian

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Trees and branches have been coming down in San Francisco Thursday morning, seriously injuring one pedestrian near San Francisco General Hospital.

The pedestrian was trapped under the ficus tree when it fell in the area of 23rd Street and Potrero Avenue at about 7:30 a.m., fire spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.

The victim was extricated and taken to the hospital with a head injury. The tree also brought down Municipal Railway lines and fell on cars in the area.

Earlier, a 40-foot ficus tree split in half and fell on top of several cars at Steiner and Eddy streets. No one was injured, but one car had minor damage.

A branch also fell on a car at Gough and Post streets. Another ficus tree came crashing down on the 600 block of Lombard Street near Joe DeMaggio Playground. No injuries were reported in either incident.

All of the trees were old and aging ficus trees that were top heavy. Department of Public Works said all it takes a bit of dust or moisture to topple the trees.

The city no longer allows ficus trees to be planted because of the risk of breaking. Over the last year, Department of Public Works has been systematically removing these trees from the neighborhood.

 

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

 

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