A nanny pushing two children in a double stroller got a scare Oct. 8 when strong winds sent a big tree branch crashing right in front of her on Glen Manor Drive.
PHOTO: Andrew Hudson
Margie Hunt saw it happen from her home across the street.
“She was just wheeling the babies, and as I say, it was only that much away,” said Hunt, holding her hands about a foot apart.
“That was nasty.”
Neighbour Thé Tieu said the woman was struck by the top end of the branch, which also fell across a power line that stretches over to Selwood Avenue. Other media reported that she received injures to her head and hands, but both children were unhurt.
The city-owned tree grew in the front yard outside Tieu’s house. Before the branch broke off, Tieu said the tree had a full canopy of leaves and no obvious signs it was unhealthy. But after it fell, it was clear the branch had either rotted or been eaten away from the inside.
“This was probably the biggest I’ve ever seen,” said Tieu, noting that wind storms often bring down branches from other mature trees nearby, especially right along the lakeshore. On the day it fell, Environment Canada recorded wind gusts of up to 69 km/h at Toronto Pearson Airport.
A week later, with the tree removed and the hydro pole by her house restored, Margie Hunt said she was amazed by the nanny’s composure.
“I’d have screamed,” she said, laughing. “I’m no lady!”
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The Beach has had rotten overgrown trees for all my life, I would avoid walking outside on stormy days particularly in the fall. Every big wind storm around here brings down giant limbs, I have seen my fair share of crumpled cars and roofs. I always get nervous watching people walk on stormy nights. Be careful during storms, this area has very tall and old trees that are vulnerable.