Accidents do happen. However, if they remain the norm rather than the exception, questions have to be asked why. It is disturbing to learn that bureaucracy appears to have contributed to the tragedy. According to the Lands Department, the tree that killed last week happened to be on an "unallocated site", which means that despite high vehicle flow, the surrounding trees do not warrant comprehensive risk assessment unless complaints have been received. It is only speculation whether the tragedy could have been avoided had officials proactively inspected the trees in the area. But a regime that only acts on complaints leaves much to be desired.
Trees become structurally unsafe and jeopardise public safety if they lack proper care. But what appears to be common sense becomes the blind spot of our civil servants. They prefer rule books rather than making their own sensible judgment. Sick trees collapsing and killing people is a misfortune. But if negligence and red tape played a part, it is inexcusable.