Iconic 'tunnel' tree in California falls victim to storm

An iconic tree in the US, which had a tunnel carved into its broad base over 137 years ago for people to drive through, fell victim to a powerful winter storm rolling through the area.
The 'tunnel' tree, a giant sequoia called the Pioneer Cabin, was one of the oldest residents of the Calaveras County's Big Trees State Park in California, US.
Visitors could once drive through the tree, but of late it was open only to hikers along a 1.5-mile loop.
The giant sequoias in the state park - the tallest of which is 250 feet - are estimated to be more than 1,000 years old, 'Los Angeles Times' reported.

"This iconic tree - the tunnel tree - enchanted many visitors. The storm was just too much for it," the Calaveras Big Trees Association said on its Facebook page.
"We lost an old friend today," county resident Jim Allday, who posted a picture of the fallen titan on his Facebook page. His photos show the tree trunk splintered heavily at its base.