Basudha Modak, a Lonehill mother, said she is traumatised and still struggling to process the moment a massive tree toppled onto Lonehill Boulevard, landing exactly where her car would have been just seconds earlier.

“I keep thinking, in a few split seconds, I would have gone [died]. It was horrible. I never thought something like this would happen to me.”

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She said she had been on her way to pick up her son from the D20 conference at Indaba Hotel in Fourways, which ended at 5pm, when the tree came crashing down in front of her on November 16.

“And bang, just exactly where the tree is, my car was supposed to be there. A Renault Kwid… it would have been finished. And along with me. I am so grateful that I was saved.”

Modak said the shock has left her emotionally shaken. “I’m going for counselling. It is traumatic even today. I didn’t leave my house. My mind keeps going through that thudding sound again and again, and the winds blowing as my car windows were half open. I went blank for a few minutes before someone honked from behind. I took a photo to report it.”

She described the sound of the branches falling as chilling. “When the branches fell, they were still making popping sounds like gunshots.”

What pains her even more is the loss of a tree her family had known for years. “My kids and I have walked with our three dogs past that tree for more than 14 years,” she said.

“I am so sad to see it cut down. You can clearly see that the soil had eroded around the tree. It was a perfectly growing tree… it had many years left.”

She believes a higher power protected her during the terrifying moment. “I believe my ancestors take care of me a lot. I have two differently abled kids, so life isn’t easy. But this… this shook me.”

Also read: Lonehill road reopens quickly after massive tree topples during storm

Ward 94 councillor David Foley expressed sympathy after hearing about her experience. “No one should ever have to go through something so frightening.

I’m incredibly relieved she walked away unharmed. Her strength in speaking about it is admirable, and as a community, we stand with her as she heals from this trauma.”

The road has since reopened after a quick clean-up effort from City Parks.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to Modak for immediately reporting the incident. Residents like her play an important role in helping us respond to service delivery challenges. Even in the middle of such a traumatic moment, she acted to protect others, and that is something we deeply appreciate.”

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