Man dies under uprooted tree

JAKARTA (JP): A becak (pedicab) driver who took shelter under a big tree during Monday's heavy rain was tragically killed as it suddenly collapsed and hit him.

Another man broke his arm.

The victims were taking shelter under the 20-meter high kapok tree with a diameter of 80 centimeters on Jl. Tanah Tinggi IV, Johar Baru district in Central Jakarta.

"The two had been sitting under the tree for about 15 minutes when the tree suddenly collapsed and fell on top of them," said Ashari, whose house was also hit by the tree.

He said that Saman, 40, died instantly while Eko, who broke his arm, was rushed to a nearby medical clinic for help.

"If I hadn't run out of my house, I would have been another victim of the uprooted tree," he said. (01)