Title: Life-Saving efforts underway as 19-year-old fights for life after tree branch impales car in Vitosha
In a harrowing ordeal, a 19-year-old named Kaloyan Pavlov is battling for his life at "Pirogov" Hospital after a tree branch crashed onto his car in the Vitosha region on the eve of Thursday. The accident, captured by a dashboard camera, has sent shockwaves through social media platforms.
On Christmas Eve, Kaloyan and his friends were returning from a mountain excursion when a snow-laden branch detached from a tree, plummeting onto their vehicle. The thick branch pierced through the car’s windshield and into Kaloyan’s body.
Doctors at "Pirogov" Hospital are working tirelessly to stabilize Kaloyan, who was taken off life support this morning, his parents informed bTV. His father, Petar Pavlov, expressed gratitude to the medical team, "We know we’re living a miracle. My son is alive by just a few centimeters. It’s a miracle his heart wasn’t pierced. I’m extremely thankful to the doctors."
Pavlov questioned the lack of preventive measures, "These issues have been ongoing for years. Trees fall, people die, yet nothing is done. No one will object if trees are pruned. Someone should be held responsible."
In response, Sofia Municipality stated that pathway maintenance involves sanding and clearance, overseen by the Sofia Inspectorate. Tree care and pruning, however, falls under the purview of "Vitosha" Nature Park Directorate, which is a state forest fund managed by Sofia State Forestry Enterprise.
Before the winter season, a joint inspection was conducted by the Regional Forestry Directorate, Sofia State Forestry Enterprise, and "Vitosha" Nature Park Directorate’s "Green System" Directorate. Consequently, hanging branches and trees within road limits were removed to ensure smooth passage of public transport buses. Emergency teams have also cleared fallen branches blocking pathways, with three incidents reported yesterday.
The municipality also noted its contract for winter and summer pathway maintenance and cleaning on Vitosha Nature Park roads. Services cover two routes: "Boyana" Quarter to "Zlatni Mostove" Mountain and "Dragalevtsi" Quarter to "Aleko" Hut.
Despite these measures, tensions remain high as Kaloyan’s life hangs in the balance. As the investigations into the incident continue, residents are expressing concerns about the safety of the area’s roads.
