Kevin Andres Navas was just 19 years old when the tree came down, crushing him underneath as dozens of people rushed over to help lift the tree back off him
Colombia: Large crowds gather after Christmas tree crushes cop
A young police officer was killed after a Christmas tree toppled over during a festive light switch on.
Kevin Andres Navas, just 19 years old, died when the tree came down, crushing him underneath. Dozens of people rushed over to help lift the tree back off him. The teenage cop was rushed to hospital with critically injuries, but could not be saved.
Chilling screams and shouting could be heard from those at the event intended to celebrate the switching on of Christmas lights. The huge yellow metal structure, which stood 30 metres tall, proved to be extremely difficult to move, due to its size.
Cranes and machinery were originally used to put up the Christmas tree, which had a huge metal star on the top. According to witnesses, the upper structure of the tree broke which caused the entire thing to collapse.
Families were attending the event on Wednesday at Bolivar Park, in Cundinamarca, Colombia. People ran as they heard the tree breaking apart in a desperate bid to dodge it before it crashed to the ground.
The Mayor’s Office has since announced an investigation for who was responsible for not securing the metal structure. Mayor Salomon Said Arias said that authorities would be working to determine why there were no adequate security measures to prevent such incidents.
Due to the tragic accident, an alert has been extended to other areas with Christmas decorations in several parts of Girardot. The Mayor asked for all areas to be extensively checked to ensure that figures, lights, and wiring, comply with the corresponding regulations.
The mayor said “I deeply regret the passing of Kevin Andres Navas, assistant police officer who was supporting security work in the Bolivar Park in Girardot when the accident with the structure of the Christmas tree occurred. I sympathize with his family, his relatives and the police. I accompany them in their sorrow.
“It’s a fact that fills me with deep sorrow at a time when we have wanted to bring all the Girardot residents and tourists happiness and a message of unity. As a consequence of this unfortunate event I have requested the company Iamsa, which has managed for 18 years the public lighting of Girardot, to urgently deliver a detailed report of what happened, with the aim of establishing the reasons for which this accident was generated.
“I have requested the removal of the tree and the review of all structures that have been installed in our municipality to ensure that all figures, lights and wiring are in accordance with the rule. I have also requested the legal office to start from now on a review of what we can legally request as the Municipal Administration to accompany this family that today goes through this pain.
“We are waiting for this report and that of the Police and Emergency Units who attended the case to inform citizens of our further decisions. I will also ask the supervisory, control and surveillance entities to initiate investigations to determine whether there are disciplinary, prosecutor or criminal motives in these events.”