Australian court stops road work, after aboriginal tree was chopped

An Australian court temporarily suspended work to expand a highway on Thursday, after officials cut down an ancient tree that Aboriginal people said was a 'sacred' one.

After officials cut down the gum tree on Monday, estimated to be hundreds of years old, more than 60 people camped out at the area to try to save it, according to news reports, may of whom were arrested.

Victoria state's Supreme Court granted a stop-work order until November 19 for the 12 km stretch of road, near the town of Buangor, about 170 km northwest of Melbourne.