An eight-year-old boy died after a decades-old buri tree collapsed onto his family's house in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, trapping him inside his room.

Authorities said that the boy sustained severe head injuries.

His father, Gremar Abelada, said his son had just arrived home from school when the incident happened.

He said he was repairing a motorcycle outside their house. His wife and the boy's twin sister were in the kitchen when the tree fell and were not hit by the tree.

“Nag-aayos ako ng motorsiklo. Dumating sila mula sa eskwelahan. Pagkuha ng tubig ng kanyang ina, bigla na lang bumagsak ang puno. Dong, mahal na mahal kita, pero hindi na natin maibabalik pa ang buhay mo,” he said.

Rescuers spent several hours freeing the boy from under the fallen tree. The boy did not make it out alive. 

The Sagay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said the buri tree was about 50 years old and only had a few living roots left.

Team leader Tito Bote, Jr. said the tree collapsed despite the absence of strong winds.

“Bale ang buri na iyan, napakalaki niyan. Ang buhay na ugat na natira, kaunti na lang. Hindi naman kasi malakas ang hangin. Iyon, nabagsakan ang bata,” he said.

Authorities will assess the other aging trees to determine if they pose danger to homes in the area.