Bengaluru man, 52, left critically injured after tree branch falls on head mid-ride

A dry roadside tree branch fell on a two-wheeler rider in Bengaluru's Rajajinagar, leaving him critically injured. Residents say earlier complaints were ignored, reviving concerns over civic maintenance and roadside safety.

In Short

• Satish was travelling to collect finance payments when the accident occurred
• Nearby CCTV footage recorded the branch snapping and throwing him off
• He suffered severe head injuries and underwent emergency surgery at Manipal

A 52-year-old man was left battling for life after a sudden tree branch collapsed onto him while he was riding a two-wheeler in Bengaluru’s Rajajinagar area, in an incident that raised fresh concerns over civic maintenance and road safety.

The incident took place on Wednesday evening near Ram Mandir Road, when Satish, a resident of the locality, was travelling to collect finance payments.

A dry and weakened branch from a roadside tree snapped without warning and fell directly onto him, causing him to lose balance and crash off his motorcycle.

The entire sequence was captured on a nearby CCTV camera, which showed the moment the branch fell and the rider being thrown off the vehicle due to the impact.

Watch the video here:

Satish suffered severe head injuries in the accident and was immediately rushed to Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, where he underwent emergency surgery. Doctors have described his condition as critical, and he remains under intensive care.

Following the incident, residents of the area have alleged negligence on the part of civic authorities, claiming that the tree had been in a hazardous condition for a long time.

According to locals, multiple complaints had been made regarding dry and unstable branches in the area, with requests for trimming or removal, but no effective action was taken.

They have blamed the Forest Department and municipal authorities for failing to address what they describe as a known risk, arguing that timely maintenance could have prevented the accident.

The incident emphasised concerns about urban tree management and roadside safety in Bengaluru, especially during periods when dry branches become more prone to breaking.

Commuters in several parts of the city have previously reported similar risks, particularly along older tree-lined roads where maintenance cycles are irregular.

Civic officials are yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident. However, the case is expected to prompt renewed scrutiny over tree inspection protocols and preventive maintenance measures in high-traffic residential and commercial zones.

As Satish continues to fight for his life, the incident left residents shaken and reignited debate over accountability in urban infrastructure upkeep, where even a momentary lapse could turn a routine commute into a life-threatening event.

- Ends