GEORGE TOWN — Root rot and a cavity in the base of a 90-year-old Angsana tree, compounded by chronic soil compaction and limited rooting space, contributed to its collapse along Jalan Macalister here today.

MBPP Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the 28-metre-tall tree, Pterocarpus indicus, had an estimated 30 per cent root rot, while cavity decay accounted for about 40 per cent of its base trunk.

“The collapse was caused by root rot estimated at around 30 per cent and base trunk cavities at about 40 per cent. These factors, combined with infrastructure upgrading works, chronic soil compaction, limited rooting space and the tree’s height, significantly increased the risk of structural failure,” he told Bernama today.

In the incident at about 9am, an elderly couple and their grandchild were injured when the Perodua Ativa sports utility vehicle (SUV) they were travelling in was crushed by the falling tree.

“The collapse was caused by root rot estimated at around 30 per cent and base trunk cavities at about 40 per cent. These factors, combined with infrastructure upgrading works, chronic soil compaction, limited rooting space and the tree’s height, significantly increased the risk of structural failure,” he told Bernama today.

Rajendran said there were no reports of heavy rain or strong winds at or before the time of the incident.

He said MBPP began removing the fallen tree at 9.41am, with the road reopened at 2.20pm after clearing works were completed.

He said MBPP had assessed mature and aged trees along Jalan Macalister in 2024, resulting in 13 trees being identified for felling, all of which had since been removed.