Storm chaos in Bad Arolsen: Fallen tree buries cyclists!

Storm chaos in Bad Arolsen: Fallen tree buries cyclists!

On Friday, October 4, 2025, a worrying incident occurred in Bad Arolsen when a large tree on Wetterburger Straße fell due to strong wind and rain, burying a middle-aged e-bike rider. The tree, which was approximately 20 meters high, fell around 5:20 p.m., leaving the cyclist with serious but fortunately non-life-threatening injuries.

The Bad Arolsen fire department was immediately deployed to free the man. With the help of a chainsaw, the emergency services were able to quickly reach the trapped victim. After receiving emergency medical treatment, the cyclist was transported to hospital where he was to receive further medical care. A second tree on the opposite side of the street was also affected by the weather conditions and must be felled.

Weather conditions as a risk

The current weather situation, characterized by heavy wind and rain, has already caused numerous disruptions and damage. Not only in Bad Arolsen, but also in other regions of Germany, many trees are affected by the extreme weather conditions. According to an expert, an estimated 80% of the trees in Germany will have already been damaged by 2024. Regular checks are therefore essential in order to identify potential dangers in good time. Such inspections also take place regularly in Bad Arolsen to ensure the stability of the street trees.

City fire inspector Mario Sek led the operations and was on site during the rescue measures, as was First City Councilor Marc van Biene, who got an idea of ​​the situation. In addition to the rescue work, the fire department, consisting of around 20 volunteer members, also cordoned off the affected area.

Liability issues in the event of tree damage

An incident like the one in Bad Arolsen also raises important legal questions. According to lawyer Daniel Heymann, the property owner is responsible for damage caused by falling trees. In residential areas these are usually the cities, while on country roads the federal states are responsible and on railway lines the railway is responsible. On private property, owners must care for their trees.

A third of Germany is forested, and the number of damaged trees is increasing. Residents are well advised to quickly report any abnormalities in trees to the property owner in order to clarify possible liability claims. Liability could be attributed to force majeure, particularly in extreme weather conditions. But it's not just the legal aspects that are important; Insurance companies can also step in in many cases if damage occurs due to fallen trees, provided that the storm contributed to the damage.

In Bad Arolsen and many other cities, protecting residents from such accidents remains an important and challenging task for those responsible. Regularly checking trees is a crucial step to ensure safety on the roads and avoid accidents like the one we recently experienced.

For more information on liability issues related to tree damage, see ZDF today.

For incident details please visit WLZ online.