Wind-driven debris injures a pedestrian near Oviedo’s Geology Faculty
A pedestrian, a woman, was struck from behind by a falling tree branch while walking near the Faculty of Geology in Oviedo on a Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 11 o’clock as strong winds swept through the area. The branch broke away from a tree on the street, crashing down and hitting the passerby.
Emergency responders, including an ambulance crew, fire department personnel, and local Oviedo police, arrived at the scene promptly. The woman sustained injuries but remained conscious throughout the response and was treated at the site before potential transport for further care.
The event echoes a recent tragedy in Madrid, where a 23-year-old woman lost her life after a tree collapsed onto a pedestrian crossing in the Chamberí district as she prepared to cross. The Madrid incident underscored the dangers posed by vigorous winds and falling debris, prompting renewed attention to weather-related safety in city environments.
Wind causes debris to fall from the Renfe station cornice in Oviedo
High winds also led to another incident nearby, lifting a portion of a balcony terrace on the sixth floor of a building at 45 Fuertes Acevedo Street in Oviedo. Bricks and debris struck the terrace edge, sending fragments onto the pavement below and pulling down part of a tree in the vicinity. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the area required immediate containment. Local police secured the affected pavement and closed both the downhill lane toward the Bullring and the uphill lane to prevent access to the scene. Fire crews were dispatched to stabilize the structure and ensure public safety while the site was assessed.
The day’s gusty conditions also caused structural damage at the Renfe station. A segment of the cornice gave way as winds swept through the area. While the damage was costly and disruptive, there were no casualties reported in this incident either. Officials coordinated with maintenance crews to cordon off the affected zone and to begin any necessary safety inspections and repairs.