In a heart-wrenching incident yesterday afternoon, our Notre-Dame-de-Grâce community was shaken when a 76-year-old woman suffered critical injuries after being struck by a falling tree branch. The accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. near the corner of Sherbrooke Street West and Grand Boulevard, an area many of us pass through daily.
According to Montreal police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant, the woman was simply walking along the sidewalk when the branch suddenly detached and struck her on the head. First responders rushed her to hospital with severe injuries, and as of this morning, she remains in critical condition.
This hits particularly close to home for me. Just last week, I was strolling through that very intersection, admiring the mature trees that give our NDG neighborhood such character. Many of these trees have stood for generations, providing welcome shade during our increasingly hot summers.
“This kind of incident is precisely why we’ve been advocating for more rigorous tree maintenance throughout Montreal,” explained Robert Beaudry, the city’s executive committee member responsible for urban forestry. “While our trees are invaluable assets, their health and safety must be monitored consistently.”
Local resident Marie Tremblay, who witnessed the aftermath, described the scene as “completely shocking.” She told me, “One minute the sidewalk was busy with people enjoying the day, the next there were emergency vehicles and people trying to help this poor woman.”
The city’s public works department has confirmed they’re conducting an immediate inspection of all trees in the vicinity. The age and condition of our urban forest has become a growing concern, particularly after several major storms in recent years have weakened many older specimens.
Montreal’s urban canopy includes more than 1.2 million trees, according to the most recent ecological assessment from the city. In NDG specifically, many trees are approaching or exceeding their expected lifespan, creating potential hazards during weather events or due to disease.
Borough mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa expressed deep concern for the injured woman. “Our thoughts are with her and her family during this difficult time,” she stated in a press release. “We’ve ordered an urgent review of tree maintenance procedures throughout NDG to prevent such tragic accidents in the future.”
The incident raises important questions about the safety of our urban forest. As climate change brings more extreme weather to Montreal, the structural integrity of older trees becomes increasingly unpredictable.
Dr. Alain Paquette, forest ecology researcher at Université du Québec à Montréal, notes that urban trees face unique stresses. “Trees in city environments experience different pressures than those in forests,” he explained. “Road salt, limited soil volume, heat islands, and construction damage all impact their stability and health.”
For NDG residents feeling concerned, the borough has established a special hotline to report potentially dangerous trees: 514-872-3777. Officials encourage citizens to be observant and report any trees showing signs of decay or instability, particularly after storms.
As someone who cherishes our leafy neighborhoods, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibility we share in maintaining our urban environment. The falling branch was reportedly substantial in size, highlighting how quickly seemingly stable trees can become hazardous.
Our community has rallied with messages of support for the injured woman. Local business owners along Sherbrooke Street have placed cards in their windows wishing her a speedy recovery.
In the coming days, city arborists will conduct thorough examinations of trees throughout NDG, with priority given to high-traffic areas and older specimens. Residents can expect to see increased maintenance activity and potentially some preventative pruning or removals where necessary.
As we await updates on the woman’s condition, this incident reminds us to appreciate both the beauty and potential dangers of our urban forest. Our thoughts remain with her and her loved ones during this challenging time.
