Police have confirmed the woman who was trapped under a tree in Cambridge has died in hospital.
File image. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Emergency services were called to Victoria Square Gardens in Cambridge about 10am this morning.
Cambridge residents were in shock after the woman was pinned by tree following what looked like mini-tornados ripping through the town this morning.
Leslie Sittall, who worked at a cafe around the corner from where the tree fell, said it was extremely sad news.
"It's devastating, being such a small community of Cambridge, it is very up setting."
She expected the community would rally around the family of the woman.
The local council said a clean-up operation was underway and the 80-year-old tree was being chopped up.
Waipa District Council confirmed the tree was healthy.
Council spokesperson Sally Sheedy said the council was "extremely shocked" and "horrified" at the situation.
"Our trees are regularly inspected. So no there weren't any concerns highlighted. So I think that's why it comes back to this freakish weather we have been experiencing this morning," Sheedy said.
A significant branch from a 100-year-old Linden Lime tree that was also in good health had crushed three cars on Hall Street, Sheedy said.
A police spokesperson said the death had been referred to the coroner.