A falling tree trapped a woman in her car waiting by Chapman School Thursday afternoon.
Staff and police responded to 16th St. and Cleveland Avenue at around 2:10 p.m. The rotting tree crushed the waiting vehicle, trapping the driver inside, and downed several power lines.
“The lady was sitting in her car, waiting to pick up her grandchild,” said Principal Mike Allen. “She was reclined in her car sitting in the shade, and the tree fell on her car…just destroyed her car. She was stuck in there. The nearby homeless people were very helpful in helping her get out but she was fine.”
He stated that she was offered an ambulance but declined further treatment.
“Several were also injured from a disturbed beehive within the tree,” said Michelle Yesbick, school director of nearby Sherwood Montessori.
Downed power lines were serviced by Chico Area Recreation and Parks District, and PG&E workers.
Job Glacken, from CARD said, “A tree fell due to rot, plus the excess water we got last year. During this heat it brings up all that weight and the limbs start to break and fall off. Half of the tree fell, and then we had to take the other half. Luckily nobody was hurt.”
Natalie Hanson can be reached at [email protected] or @NatalieH_Orion on Twitter.
