Woman killed by falling tree branch in Adelaide Park Lands

A woman has been killed by a falling branch at University Oval in the Adelaide Park Lands with South Australia’s Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) advising that it appeared the woman was sitting under the tree when struck.

MFS said crews were called to the site near North Adelaide’s War Memorial Drive at about 2:30pm, but were unable to save the woman.

Advising that it appeared the woman, aged in her mid-20s, was sitting beneath the tree when it fell, MFS Commander, Declan Dwyer stated “we got here within just a few minutes and knowing that there was someone trapped underneath … but unfortunately there was nothing we could do..

"It appears at this stage she was doing nothing more than sitting on the lawn having something to drink or eat."

Dwyer noted that the tree was recently inspected by the Adelaide City Council.

Gum trees are known to drop limbs at any time without warning and are more likely to do so in summer when it is hot and dry as the tree offloads heavy branches to prioritise limited nourishment.

South Australian Police said it will launch an investigation into the incident.

War Memorial Drive was briefly closed and has since reopened.

Image: Adelaide Park Lands.