An unlucky woman was crushed to death by a falling palm tree just months after recovering from a car crash,
Francesca Testino had only just recovered from multiple injuries after being hit on a pedestrian crossing.
But the 57-year-old was killed on the spot after a tree uprooted and landed on top of her.
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Local residents had been complaining about the tree’s condition for at least five years.
The fatal accident took place on Piazza Paolo da Novi in the centre of Genoa, Italy, yesterday (12 Mar) afternoon.
The emergency services arrived promptly on the scene, but could only confirm Francesca’s death after resuscitation attempts failed.
Firefighters had to cut away parts of the tree to recover the victim’s body.
Technicians from the company Aster, responsible for managing the city’s green areas, were also called to the scene.
The freak accident left numerous residents who were in the area at the time of the collapse shocked.
A spokesperson for the workers’ union Uil, which Francesca was a member of, said: “We have just learned with dismay and pain about the tragic and sudden death of Francesca Testino.
“It happened due to the uprooting of a palm tree on Piazza Paolo da Novi.
“We are in close contact with her family, friends and work colleagues.”
The area has been cordoned off as experts survey the affected area and surrounding trees, as reported by Need To Know.
One local said: “That tree had been crooked for a long time.”
Another added: “I live right there and I lost count of the amount of times they cordoned it off and put up tie rods over the last 10 years.”
Francesca, who worked for the Metropolitan City of Genoa, was not married but was said to be very close to her sister and niece.
The investigation into her death is ongoing.
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