Man, 64, Dies After Falling From Mango Tree in Belle-Rose

A 64-year-old man lost his life on Monday, 9 November, after falling from a mango tree in the residential area of Belle-Rose, in the west of Mauritius.

The man had been climbing the tree to install protective nets, a common practice among Mauritian fruit growers to shield ripening mangoes from birds and bats. At some point during the task, he lost his footing and fell to the ground.

It was his mother who first raised the alarm, alerting her grandson, the victim's son, who immediately called the emergency services.

The SAMU, Mauritius's ambulance and emergency medical service, arrived at the scene and transported the injured man to the PMOC hospital, the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Pamplemousses, one of the island's main public hospitals. Despite receiving medical attention, the man succumbed to his injuries approximately one hour after arriving at the hospital.

Local police from the Belle-Rose station were notified and have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the death, as is standard procedure in cases of accidental fatality.

Falls from trees, particularly mango trees during the fruit season, are a recurring hazard in Mauritius. The island's mango season typically runs from November through to January, prompting many households and smallholders to climb trees to harvest fruit or install nets. Health and safety precautions during such activities are rarely formalised in domestic or small-scale agricultural settings.

The identity of the deceased has not been officially released. The family is said to be in shock following the sudden tragedy.

Source: Le Defi Media