Aftermath of a 30ft tree falling on Scott Clarke's van in Watford, Herts. (Scott Clarke via SWNS)
By Chris Flanagan
A dad says he's lucky to be alive after a 30-foot tree fell on his moving van - smashing the windscreen.
Scott Clarke, 43, was driving with friend William Martin in Watford, Herts, on Tuesday evening before a “bang” suddenly stopped the vehicle.
The pair later realised that a huge tree had toppled directly onto their van– coming to rest on its roof – though they miraculously escaped serious injury.
Dramatic pictures show the extent of the damage.
Gas engineer Scott, a dad-of-five, says that he feels lucky to be alive after the accident in Newhouse Crescent, where firefighters had to cut them out of the vehicle.
(Scott Clarke via SWNS)
He said: “I’m a bit shocked, shaken and have a few little cuts from the windscreen.
“We had just pulled off from outside my house and as we passed the turning on the left we first of all noticed little branches coming down and then bang, the van came to an abrupt halt.
“We then noticed we were stuck inside the van and had to wait for the fire brigade to cut us out and make it safe. Neighbours were out in a flash trying to help us.”
Rebecca Ryan, who lives nearby, claims she has long been asking for that tree and two others to be cut down as she was convinced they were dangerous.
Scott Clarke with his wife. (Scott Clarke via SWNS)
The resident added: “Somebody is going to die if nothing is done. Honestly, I’m so scared the other two are going to come down. They are rotten, you can tell by the bark.”
Scott said he and William are “both thankful and lucky we’re fine and no one was killed”, adding neighbours had since told him the tree was “assessed very recently to be taken down”.
Several residents said it was lucky to have happened outside school hours, with Future Academies Watford just a stone’s throw away.
One wrote online: “Futures need to warn their pupils to keep to the left side of the Crescent when walking to The Brow until the other trees are taken down. Could have been carnage tonight.”
(Scott Clarke via SWNS)
At the time, Herts police warned people to stay away from the scene, stating the tree had blocked the road and damaged vehicles.
It is understood emergency services were still there at least five hours later attempting to clear the carriageway.
Dan Thomas, who passed the "madness" of the scene at 5.10pm when Herts Fire and Rescue had just arrived, said: “There was only the one fire engine but another three came flying up Horseshoe Lane five minutes later. An unmarked police car was with them to seal off the road."