Councillor calls for audit as breaking gum narrowly misses children

A giant trunk has crashed down among children and adults at TreeClimb in the south parklands – sparking calls for an immediate audit of other trees at the adventure park.

Children climbing in the canopy of a giant gum tree at the TreeClimb aerial adventure park in the South Parklands narrowly escaped injury when a huge trunk snapped and crashed to the ground.

The incident, which occurred just after 2pm on Sunday, has sparked an urgent call by Adelaide City Council councillor Phil Martin for an urgent audit of all trees at the facility.

“Looking at the aftermath, I am fairly surprised that no one was injured,’’ Mr Martin said.

Witnesses said there was no warning before the 12m long tree trunk fell – and at the time, there were two children just a metre from the point it snapped.

Glenelg North man Iliano Puccini, 72, said he heard “an almighty crack’’ and turned to see the huge trunk falling among dozens of children and adults enjoying the facility.

“I swung around from the petanque ground and then the screaming started as everyone saw what was happening,’’ he said.

One of the trees at the TreeClimb attraction snapped in half, terrifying young children climbing nearby. Picture: Iliano Puccini

“We ran over there and had to tell the parents of the kiddies struck up there … to not stand under it in case it fell further while they rescued them.

“The only thing holding it up was the cables making up the aerial bridges.

“If those cables were not holding the branch up I have no doubt there would have been casualties.’’

The tree which snapped without warning. Picture: Matt Loxton

TreeClimb, on the corner of Greenhill and Unley Rds in the South parklands, is billed as the first inner city aerial adventure park in Australia. It offers spectacular climbing opportunities for adults and children with multiple cable bridges linking huge gum trees.

Mr Martin said he attended the facility after being alerted to the near-tragedy and was shocked at the size of the tree trunk that had fallen.

“I immediately rang the (council’s) chief executive officer because of the seriousness of the incident,’’ he said.

“I firmly believe there should be a full investigation by SafeWork SA and an audit undertaken of all trees at the facility.’’

He said it appeared a different section of the facility had been closed because another large branch had recently fallen.

People watch as children were metres from a tree which broke at Adelaide Treeclimb. Picture: Iliano Puccini

Now clear of climbers, the broken tree can be seen clearly. Picture: Matt Loxton

TreeClimb has been contacted for comment.

In a post on its Facebook page on Sunday afternoon, Adelaide TreeClimb said its children’s course would be closed for the present.

“Safety is always our no. 1 priority!,” it read.

“All courses are checked by our team on a daily basis and all trees are regularly inspected and monitored by independent arborists.

“Due to a fallen branch, the Kids’ Course is currently unavailable. All other courses and obstacles remain open – and as per usual we will keep you updated!

“If you have a booking on the Kids’ Course in the next two days check your emails, we’ll be in touch.”