A large tree came down on cars along Belmont Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, and at least two people were taken to the hospital as a result. The tree was left blocking the roadway at its intersection with Old Belmont Avenue, and the corridor was closed.
According to CBS News, Montgomery County dispatchers confirmed that at least two people were transported to a hospital following the incident. The incident was still developing. Belmont Avenue has been closed between Rock Hill Road and the Schuylkill Expressway ramps, cutting off a stretch of the roadway for drivers in the area.
Power Outages Reported Nearby
PECO reported that 11 customers in the area were without power as crews responded to the downed tree, per the same CBS News account. The utility has not indicated when power might be restored, and the outlet's report was still developing as of Friday afternoon, with updates expected as more information becomes available.
The circumstances that led to the tree falling, including how many vehicles were struck and the condition of the people hospitalized, have not been detailed in official reports so far.
Not the First Time on This Stretch
This is not the first time a tree has come down on a vehicle along Belmont Avenue. Back in October 2018, one person was hospitalized after a tree fell on a car near the intersection with Rock Hill Run Road, according to Patch. That earlier incident happened around 4 a.m., and police said the driver suffered only minor injuries before being taken to the hospital. Belmont Avenue was also shut down in the aftermath of that 2018 crash.
Officials have not yet said when Belmont Avenue is expected to reopen. Commuters in Bala Cynwyd and Lower Merion should anticipate delays and seek alternate routes until crews finish clearing the tree and any related debris from the roadway.
