Woman killed by falling tree branch named
A woman killed by a falling tree has been identified as a beloved Indonesian international student.
Alifia Soeryo, 22, was jogging in Park 10 on War Memorial Dr in North Adelaide on Wednesday when she stopped to take a break under a large gum tree.
A large tree branch suddenly snapped off and fell on top of the University of Adelaide student about 2.30pm.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but Ms Soeryo could not be saved.
A friend of Ms Soeryo, who wished only to be known as Josh, told 7 News that she was a “loving” friend.
“She was a beautiful person, cute, loving, she was shy at times but she would always talk,” Josh said.
“She was very approachable. She always had a smile on her face and she was one of the (most) beautiful persons I ever met.”
Grieving friends of the avid bike rider, who was affectionately known as Fi or Fa, left tributes on the young woman’s social media pages.
“Ride in peace, sweetie … I will always love you, Fi. I’ll miss your random replies to my IG (Instagram) story, I’ll miss your sweetest words and support, I’ll miss you forever Fi,” 7 News reported that one person wrote.
“I love you eternally,” another wrote.
Declan Dwyer of the Metropolitan Fire Service said the branch likely weighed between eight and 10 tonnes and fell from between 20 and 25m above.
“It was a large tree that had split, obviously when it was very young, and the trunk of it was divided into a quarter and three-quarters coming out of the ground,” he told ABC Radio on Thursday.
“The three-quarter section – it appeared like it snapped off at the base and fell, away from the remaining section of tree.”
Mr Dwyer described the tragedy as “really sad and shocking”.
“We got here within just a few minutes and knowing there was someone trapped underneath it, we knew we’d have to swing into some life support and first aid,” Mr Dwyer told 9 News on Wednesday.
“But unfortunately there was nothing we could do.
“It appears at this stage she was just doing nothing more than sitting on the lawn just having something to drink.”
It’s understood the trees within the park are regularly inspected.
The Adelaide City Council is investigating the incident.
