A 20-year-old rider was injured after he was hit by a falling tree amid heavy rains and strong winds in President Roxas, Cotabato.

According to a teacher who helped the victim, the rider and his aunt were on a motorcycle and were heading home to Sitio Tinayong in Barangay Sarayan when a Gmelina tree fell when they reached Sitio Avas.

The tree hit the rider in the head. His aunt was unharmed.

Personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) responded and brought the rider to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center for treatment after he reportedly vomited after the incident.

MDRRMO added that the rider did not wear a helmet at that time.

Authorities said strong winds and heavy rains were experienced in the area when the incident happened.

“Ang weather namo diri, sige’g ulan-ulan tapos naa’y hangin. Basi’g naghumok ang punuan sa kahoy, mao tung natumba,” MDRRMO Operations Section Officer, James Tinambunan, said.

Clearing operations were carried to remove the tree from the road.