New Wicklow attraction Beyond The Trees was almost faced with a major tragedy after a young man had a lucky escape.
The man was nearly crushed by a tree in a 'freak accident' in the park in Wicklow this week. The incident happened at around 2pm on Monday on a public path at the new tourist attraction, Beyond the Trees, in Avondale Forest Park.
Visitors had been walking along the pathway from the visitor centre to the carpark when a part of the tree fell in what is believed to have been a “freak accident”.
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The man was pinned under the tree but managed to escape unharmed and was able to crawl out through the branches. An eyewitness told the Irish Sun: "One young man had been walking on the path and under the tree when it came down.
“But on hearing the crack of wood he had been able to run, meaning that he escaped the heaviest part of the tree. But he was still underneath the tree when it came down.”
In a statement for Avondale Forest Park, a spokesperson told the Irish Mirror that it was an "isolated incident" and their forestry experts have since conducted a "rigorous safety review" of the path.
The statement said: “Beyond the Trees at Avondale Forest Park has welcomed thousands of visitors in recent weeks and has the highest Health and Safety standards.
“The onsite forestry team has completed a rigorous safety review of the trees lining the path from the visitor centre to the carpark to ensure the continued safety of all of our visitors. This was an isolated incident and we remain in contact with the family of the visitor involved.”
President Michael D Higgins officially opened Beyond the Trees Avondale last month which is the result of a €19 million project that has transformed Avondale Forest Park and expects to welcome up to 250,000 visitors a year.
The tourist attraction includes a treetop walk, a 12-storey high viewing tower and a hugely-popular giant 90-meter spiral slide.
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