A tree fell along Pipit Road in MacPherson early Wednesday morning, blocking the two-lane road for several hours and causing diversions for multiple bus services. Authorities responded swiftly to clear the obstruction and ensure the safety of commuters.
The incident occurred on , and was first reported around 8:00 AM. By 10:00 AM, one lane of the road had been reopened to traffic as workers began removing the fallen tree, according to reports.
Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC MP Tin Pei Ling confirmed that no one was injured and no vehicles were damaged as a result of the incident. She expressed gratitude to the police and town council workers for their prompt response in managing traffic and pedestrian safety. Ms. Tin noted that the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Town Council is responsible for handling such matters in the area.
The fallen tree had been last checked and certified as healthy by a horticulture contractor in November 2025, Ms. Tin added. She has requested specialists to investigate the cause of the tree’s fall and to conduct a thorough inspection of all trees in the surrounding area.
“Thankfully, no person (was hurt) or vehicle was damaged,” Ms. Tin said, also noting the disruption to bus services. Photos shared by Ms. Tin on social media showed the road cordoned off, with the tree trunk snapped at its base. A sign alerting motorists to the presence of elderly pedestrians was also visible in the images, appearing slightly dented.
Several bus services experienced diversions due to the fallen tree. SBS Transit announced via X (formerly Twitter) at 8:25 AM that services 40, 63/63M, 65, 135, 154, 155, and 158 were being diverted from Paya Lebar Road, Circuit Link, Circuit Road, Mattar Road, and Aljunied Road, skipping 12 bus stops. SMRT also issued diversion notices on its mobile apps for affected services.
By approximately 10:20 AM, all bus services had returned to their normal routes.
A contractor involved in the tree removal process stated that the tree toppled around 8:00 AM. He arrived on the scene at 8:30 AM and reported that a bus had been temporarily blocked by the fallen tree for approximately 1.5 hours before being able to proceed around 10:00 AM. The contractor, who wished to remain anonymous, said that traffic police had already diverted traffic from the highway onto Pipit Road, directing motorists to turn left onto Paya Lebar Road and then Circuit Link.
The contractor noted that the response was well-managed, with minimal traffic congestion or confusion. He indicated that a lighting pole and a temporary structure used to hang lanterns sustained damage during the incident.
The Straits Times has reached out to the Land Transport Authority and the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Town Council for further information regarding the incident and the investigation into the cause of the tree fall.
