Tragic Vehicle Crash in Chiapas After Tree Collapse in Heavy Rain
Three people lost their lives when a large tree collapsed onto a moving vehicle on a road in the La Campaña community, Solosuchiapa municipality, Chiapas, in southeastern Mexico. The incident occurred amid substantial rainfall that softened soil and contributed to the tree’s destabilization, causing it to topple onto the road where it landed on the moving vehicle at low speed due to winding sections of the route. Local authorities report that the accident happened within the last three days in the area commonly known for its dense tree cover and meandering lanes.
The preliminary report from the state Civil Protection agency identifies the victims as Carlos López, 44, Floricela Mendez, 43, and Feny Bel Hernández, 30. A fourth occupant suffered a head injury and was transported to a hospital for urgent care by Civil Protection personnel from Solosuchiapa. Rescue teams responded quickly, and witnesses described a scene where the vehicle, a double-cabin model, was traveling along the road when the trunk collapsed onto the windshield, effectively splitting the vehicle in two and leaving three people dead as a result of the impact.
All three deceased individuals were residents of the community of San Lorenzo in the Amatán municipality. They were en route to Pichucalco, with the broader region bordering the state of Tabasco, which experiences frequent rainfall. The area referred to as the “black forest” is known for its dense tree cover and intricate roadways, where drivers and local residents immediately assisted in securing the scene and aiding survivors. The sole survivor at the time of early reports was among the occupants who managed to escape or were unharmed, while municipal police and Civil Protection teams arrived to manage the aftermath and begin investigations.
The incident unfolded during heavy rains linked to a tropical depression named Celia, noted as the third tropical cyclone of the Pacific season. Meteorological authorities indicated that interactions between Celia, low pressure channels over southeastern Mexico, and a tropical wave crossing the Yucatan Peninsula would drive torrential rainfall across Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Veracruz, with substantial precipitation expected elsewhere in the region. In Chiapas and neighboring states, rainfall projections ranged from heavy downpours to localized downpours with rainfall totals expected to reach the hundreds of millimeters in some zones, creating hazardous driving conditions and increasing the risk of tree failures and flooding. Local authorities advised residents to exercise caution, particularly along rural roads where soil saturation can undermine tree stability and road integrity, and to monitor weather updates from national meteorological agencies for ongoing safety guidance. [cited authority: National Meteorological Service and Civil Protection reports]