Tragic Incident at Nahal HaShofet Claims Life of Professor
Death of Professor Motty Golani
A tragic event unfolded on Friday evening at Nahal HaShofet, where Professor Motty Golani, a resident of Givat Ela, lost his life due to the collapse of a tree. The incident occurred during a family outing for the holiday of Nabi Shu’ayb, where the Abu Roken family from Usafiya was present, alongside friends from Majar.
Eyewitness Accounts
Ashouaq and Amal Abu Roken recounted the horrifying moments leading up to the tragedy. “We planned to enjoy a family hike along a beautiful, accessible trail,” Ashouaq explained. “Before we commenced the hike, we decided to let the children eat. We were seated and heard a peculiar noise. I sensed something was wrong, and as I felt the branches moving, I yelled to my friend to get back because the tree was about to fall.”
As chaos erupted, Ashouaq took immediate action, assisting her friend who was holding her four-month-old baby. “The tree fell on her, and I rushed to grab her baby, who had sustained a minor head injury, to prevent further harm. I called out for help.”
Multiple bystanders hurried to assist, lifting the tree off the friend and promptly contacting emergency servstarts. “The scene was chaotic,” Ashouaq continued. “I, alongside my friend with her head injury, and the baby, were taken to Rambam Medical Center. I couldn’t sleep that night. As a teacher, my mind kept racing about what could have happened if we had been there with many children.”
The Impact on Witnesses
Amal Abu Roken added, “This is a significant tragedy. I couldn’t close my eyes all night, thinking about the family and the individual who lost his life. We wish to find them and offer our condolences for their immense loss.”
The incident also involved a direct impact on the family dining near Professor Golani. He was sitting with his loved starts when the tree struck him directly, leading to his death. “Fortunately, they had placed a mat on the ground for their children, which may have spared them some injury,” Ashouaq noted, emphasizing how quickly the situation escalated.
Statements from Officials
The Jewish National Fund (JNF) expressed profound condolences, stating, “We share our deep sorrow with the family over this painful loss and send wishes for a swift recovery to the injured. Following the tragic event, the site was inspected by the relevant authorities and safety officials, and it was reopened to visitors the next morning. JNF continues to review the incident.”
This unfortunate occurrence serves as a sobering reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the importance of safety during outdoor activities