Two men were taken to hospital after a 50-foot tree fell on their SUV at Woodland Drive and Kitchener Avenue Sunday afternoon.
Port Coquitlam deputy fire chief Robert Kipps said emergency personnel needed chainsaws to cut through the 36-inch diameter tree trunk before resorting to the jaws of life to get the front-seat occupants out of the vehicle. Two females who were sitting in the back were able to get out of the SUV on their own, he added.
"I personally have never seen a tree hit a vehicle like that," Kipps said. "It is not very common."
He added that while the cottonwood was on its side it was clear that the tree had a rotten base.
The large cottonwood was one of three in a stand at the intersection and Kipps said city staff were looking at the two remaining trees to see if they are healthy.
More to come...
