Tragedy struck, yesterday, when an economy tree fell on a commercial minibus and killed one passenger, while others sustained injuries in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The Guardian gathered that the accident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, at the Murtala Muhammed Highway, close to Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) office in Calabar Municipal Local Council.
 
It was learnt that the bus was heading towards 8 Mile when the unfortunate incident happened. The trees were planted by the state government over 20 years ago and are being maintained to beautify the city.
  
An eyewitness, Greg, said: “I was sitting in front of the house when I heard a sound, and I saw people rushing to the scene. The minibus was filled with passengers when the tree fell on it. I’m sure the tree is old. I fear for the driver and the passengers.”
 
Confirming the incident, a Vehicle Inspection officer (VIO), who was on duty when the incident happened, said: “One person died on the spot and the rest were rushed to the nearby hospital. Some of them were seriously injured.”
   
When The Guardian visited the scene of the accident, the remains of the deceased and the injured passengers had been taken to an unknown hospital, while law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Environment were cutting the tree into logs.