First responders rescue Castro Valley man trapped under eucalyptus tree that fell on house

CASTRO VALLEY, CA (KGO) — There have been tense moments Saturday afternoon within the Castro Valley as he watched neighboring firefighters rescue a person trapped underneath an enormous eucalyptus tree that had fallen into his dwelling.

Michelle Austin, who has lived within the neighborhood for 14 years, mentioned, “There was a really loud explosion, a rumble. My first thought was an earthquake. And the electrical energy went out.” She helped consolation the person’s spouse whereas her husband was being rescued.

“The gentleman who received caught caught to the couch. And the tree was supported by a part of the partitions of the home and a part of the couch. In order that they have been very cautious to guard the setting,” Austin mentioned.

Battalion Chief Kent Carlin of the Alameda County Fireplace Division mentioned, “The primary squadron arrived on the scene and located a home cut up in half by a big eucalyptus.”

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Carlin mentioned the tree probably weighed between 150 and 200 tons. He says it took his crew virtually an hour to rescue the person. A number of neighbors say the person is an officer with the Oakland Police Division.

“We have been capable of carry a few of our gear to get some aid to get it out. There have been two cranes on the scene. Fortunately we did not have to make use of them,” he mentioned.

Some residents say they’ve complained to the municipality concerning the big bushes alongside a creek behind these homes and the hazard of falling.

Jason Rogers grew up on this road. He and his father got here to see the injury.

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“This home is cut up in two! It is stunning. However there are such a lot of eucalyptus bushes behind these homes and so they’re so tall and big and so they simply sway. I suppose it was only a matter of time,” Rogers mentioned. .

Austin remained right here till the person was taken by ambulance to Eden Medical Heart.

“If it wasn’t on the sofa precisely the place it was, or if the entire household was there, it may have been lots worse,” she says.

Battalion Chief Carlin says his spouse and 4 youngsters survived. Baba was injured in his legs, however Carlin doesn’t know the extent of the injuries.

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