GERMANS CRUSHED TO DEATH...

By Humphrey Carter TRAGEDY struck in Camp de Mar yesterday when two German tourists were crushed to death and a third seriously injured by a falling 10 metre pine tree. -year-old Harmunt Fritz, his 70-year-old wife Anne Marie and 55-year-old Peter Brant were part of a 20-strong group of hikers walking along the Cala Fornells road and about to head up through the woods behind the estate belonging to supermodel Claudia Schiffer to the Torre Cap Andritxol lookout when the accident happened early yesterday afternoon. Emergency sources said yesterday that the high winds which battered the area yesterday are believed to have blown the dead pine tree over and on to the three walkers. Fire crews from Calvia supported by rescue teams and from Inca and Soller, rushed to the scene and dragged all three of the trapped victims from under the tree. Members of the Local Police, Civil protection and a German doctor also had to comfort the rest of the group who were all deeply shocked and disturbed by what had happened and what they were forced to witness. Anne Marie was freed relatively quickly but fire fighters and rescue workers had to cut the two men free from under the branches. It took the rescue service an hour to free the victims and rushed them to Son Dureta hospital in Palma. The two men suffered severe head injuries and both passed away in casualty. Anne Marie also suffered head injuries and concussion but was under observation in hospital last night where doctors said her condition was not life threatening. Autopsies on the two German men are expected to be carried out on Monday. Some inter-island ferry services were postponed yesterday morning because of the gale force winds but normal passenger shipping services were resumed yesterday afternoon.