Dr. Peter Barss’s study “Injuries Due to Falling Coconuts” [published in The Journal of Trauma, vol. 24, no. 11, 1984, pp. 990-1.], for which Dr. Barss was awarded the 2001 Ig Nobel Prize in medicine, (almost) undoubtedly inspired the Indian Government to take action. The BBC reports:
Coconuts removed in India ahead of Obama visit
By Prachi Pinglay BBC News, MumbaiOfficials in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) have taken extraordinary measures to protect US President Barack Obama ahead of his visit.
In their effort to provide maximum security in the run-up to his visit on Friday, they have removed coconuts which may fall on his head from trees.
All coconuts around the city’s Gandhi museum have now been cut down, an official told the BBC.
Every year in India people are injured or even killed by falling coconuts…
(Thanks to investigator Arun Giridhar for bringing this to our attention.)