TEANECK, New Jersey (WABC) — A large tree branch fell in Teaneck, New Jersey, on Thursday, trapping individuals underneath.
It happened near the intersection of Sussex Road and Churchill Road.
"Boom! The house was shaking, I thought it was an earthquake," said Inna Rossina, a Teaneck resident.
The rumble on Sussex Road was a huge tree limb giving way at the exact time when several people were passing by, walking and driving.
Two women, ages 44 and 45, both residents of Bergenfield, were trapped beneath the large tree branch after they had been walking on the sidewalk adjacent to the tree when it collapsed.
A third woman, 50, of Ridgefield Park, was struck by the branch while walking on the opposite side of Sussex Road but was not trapped.
The branch also struck the roof of a Tesla with a 36-year-old man and a four-year-old daughter inside.
The man had minor lacerations from the broken glass, and the child was unharmed, police said.
Rossina immediately called for help.
"I tried to call 911. I saw people running. It came to my mind that two cars collided because I saw the car on the side of the street," she said.
The falling branch also brought down power lines to a nearby residence.
While responding, an officer flagged down a passing tree service truck who stopped and assisted the officer in cutting through the branch the expedite the rescue.
Five officers worked together to lift portions of the branch to free the two trapped women.
They were taken to Hackensack University Medical Center with serious injuries but are expected to recover.
The third woman, who was not trapped, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
"We are just fortunate that the injuries are not as severe as we were originally worried. We are being told it's non-life-threatening, so that's good. We are going to take the steps necessary ensuring the safety of the area by removing the tree, in coordination with the homeowners," said Chief Andrew McGurr, Teaneck Police Department.
The branch is believed to have fallen from natural causes.
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