A MAN died while others are in critical condition after a coconut tree slammed onto the vehicle they were travelling in north Malaita, Wednesday.
The incident occurred at Ubere, further south of Malu’u substation in the To’abaita region.
Reports from Malu’u said the group was travelling in a vehicle on their way to Kwaiana for a church opening ceremony when the incident happened.
“The roadside coconut tree was believed to have been brought down by strong wind,” a relative of one the deceased told the Solomon Star.
“It was a tragic accident. Everyone was shocked by what happened,” the relative said.
Those injured were rushed to Malu’u Area Health Centre and are likely to be transferred to Kilu’ufi Hospital at provincial capital Auki.
A similar incident occurred in the west Kwaio region a few years ago, killing a number of passengers.
Some parts of Malaita’s north and south roads cut through coconut plantations.
By LESLEY SANGA
