A motorcyclist died in Popayán, in the Yamaha Rowing sector, after a tree in apparent poor condition collapsed on the Pan-American Highway. The events were recorded on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 14, 2025, generating shock among passers-by and merchants in the area.

Apparently, the tree, which showed signs of deterioration in its roots, possibly gave way due to weather conditions. The motorcyclist, a man of about 35 years old, was trapped between the branches, which caused fatal injuries to his chest and abdomen.

Claudia Paz, a merchant in the sector, told El País that several people tried to help the victim, but the impact was so severe that there was no possibility of saving him. "He was trapped between the branches, he died of one, because you can see that he imprisoned his chest, abdomen, affecting his vital organs," he explained.

After the accident, passers-by and drivers who witnessed the scene alerted the firefighters and authorities. In fact, the rescuers arrived at the scene to coordinate the rescue work and remove the motorcyclist's body.

Lina María Meneses, another witness to the incident, described to the same media how the firefighters worked cautiously to cut the branches of the tree and release the body. "Little by little, they were cutting the branches of the tree, a procedure that they carried out slowly until they managed to remove the boy's lifeless body," he said.

To facilitate rescue work and judicial proceedings, the authorities decided to temporarily close one of the lanes of the Pan-American Highway, one of the busiest arteries in the region. In addition, officials from the Secretariat of Transit were present at the scene to manage traffic and collaborate with the investigations.

The incident has generated concern among residents and merchants of the sector, who have pointed out the lack of maintenance of the trees as a determining factor in this tragic event.

Álvaro Vargas, owner of a nearby business, expressed to El País his concern about the state of the trees in the area, especially in such a busy area. "This sector is traveled daily by hundreds of vehicles, which increases the concern for the safety of road users because it is seen that the tree collapsed, because it is seen that in its lower part or roots, they are rotten," he said.