GALLERY: Tree collapses on classroom

PUPILS of St Catherine’s pre-school in Empangeni have escaped unscathed after strong winds resulted in a huge tree collapsing on one of the classrooms.

At around 7.30 this morning while the children were preparing to begin their lessons, strong gusts of wind proved too much for the old tree, which eventually lifted from the roots and fell on the playground, landing on one of the classrooms.

‘First I heard the branches landing against the roof, and then I heard a huge thud as the tree came crashing down,’ said pre-school HOD Debbie Brink.

Both the roof of the classroom and the playground received extensive damage as the massive tree destroyed a number of outdoor features.