Abstract：
Tree failure, or summer branch drop, refers to situations where large branches or whole trees may unexpectedly drop on unsuspecting victims. On occasion, this involves vehicles impacted by falling overhanging trees or branches. To study this phenomenon further review of the Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, Australia, database and an internet news search were undertaken over a 20 year period from March 2004 to February 2024 for all cases where unexpected accidental deaths in South Australia had been caused by falling branches or trees. There were six cases (age range 12-63 years; average 39 years; M:F 1:2). Three deaths occurred when branches dropped onto vehicles being driven along roads, 2 occurred when entire trees dropped onto the victims (one in windy weather) and 1 was due to a branch drop. Three tree species were identified as a grey box gum tree (Eucalyptus microcarpa), a lemon-scented gum tree (Corymbia citriodora) and a Cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides). The remainder were variants of eucalyptus (gum) trees. Deaths due to tree failures are uncommon and may involve a variety of different tree species with these events not necessarily occurring during high winds or storms. The major findings at autopsy are blunt force injuries.
摘要：
树失败，或者夏天的树枝掉落，指的是大树枝或整树可能意外落在毫无戒心的受害者身上的情况。有时,这涉及车辆因悬垂的树木或树枝而受到影响。为了研究这一现象，进一步回顾法医学SA，阿德莱德,澳大利亚,从2004年3月至2024年2月，在20年的时间里，对所有南澳大利亚州意外意外死亡的病例进行了数据库和互联网新闻搜索。有6例（年龄范围12-63岁；平均39岁；M：F1：2）。当树枝掉落在沿着道路行驶的车辆上时，三人死亡，2发生在整个树木掉落到受害者身上（其中一个在大风天气中），而1则是由于树枝掉落。三种树种被鉴定为灰色盒子树胶树（Eucalyptusmicrocarpa），柠檬香的树胶树（Corymbiacitriodora）和棉木树（Populusdeltoides）。其余的是桉树（胶）树的变体。由于树木倒塌而导致的死亡并不常见，并且可能涉及各种不同的树种，这些事件不一定在大风或暴风雨期间发生。尸检的主要发现是钝器伤。
