Examiner Bureau | ANANTNAG:
A tragic accident on the Janglat Mandi–Lal Chowk road in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday left a man dead and his wife fighting for her life after an aging tree suddenly uprooted and collapsed onto them.
According to official sources, the couple was walking along the roadside when the decaying tree unexpectedly gave way. The impact inflicted severe, life-threatening injuries on both pedestrians. Bystanders and emergency responders rushed the victims to a nearby hospital for urgent medical intervention.
Despite intensive efforts by the medical team, one of the victims—identified as Mohd Rafiq Khan, a resident of Utross—succumbed to his injuries. His wife remains hospitalized in critical condition, where she continues to undergo specialized treatment.
The fatal incident has sparked intense concern and anger among local residents. Community members have urged district authorities to immediately deploy teams to inspect and remove hazardous, aging trees lining major public roads to prevent future casualties.
District officials confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the structural failure of the tree.
