Moment SUV driver narrowly escapes being hit by a falling tree as it crashes onto the road bringing down power lines and traffic lights
- SUV was seen driving up to intersection as the large tree began to collapse
- Footage shows car pull ahead moments before branches crashed over the road
- Forestry workers in Durham, North Carolina said tree fell due to winds and rot
- Downed power lines were restored and junction was reopened within hours
A motorist narrowly missed being smashed into by a tree as it collapsed across both lanes of a quiet neighborhood street.
The tree came crashing down near an intersection in the Duke Park area of Durham, North Carolina.
Footage from another vehicle shows an SUV pulling up to a crossroads as the huge tree begins to fall.
Noticing the danger, the driver speeds up in an attempt make it past as the tree’s branches begin to hit the ground and create a small gap for the vehicle to get through.
Luckily the SUV is seen pulling through and driving to safety just before it collapses.
No one was hurt in the incident, but the vehicle sustained some damage.
‘It was loud, like a large tree hitting the ground. You know, just like breaking wood,’ nearby resident Nealon Kallok told WRAL.
‘It’s kind of crazy because I’m always going past that tree, like walking. So, it’s scary to know it was so close to falling for the past weeks.’
A motorist narrowly missed being smashed into by a tree as it collapsed across both lanes of a quiet neighborhood street in Durham, North Carolina
Charlotte Davis, who lives two blocks away added: ‘I saw that and said, “Oh, my gosh. It happened.”‘
Durham’s Urban Forestry Department said the tree fell from a combination of winds and rot in its roots system.
The accident on April 14 caused considerable damage at the junction, downing power lines and road signs.
‘Wow, that was lucky! ‘ Durham Transportation Department wrote after seeing footage of the SUV’s lucky escape.
They added: ‘We’ll be working with our Public Works team to check utilities at Markham/Washington, remove the tree, and rebuild the signal.’
Durham’s Urban Forestry Department said the tree fell from a combination of winds and rot in its roots system
The tree is on private property so isn’t one that city workers would usually inspect for potential dangers.
Utility crews worked overnight to restore power, and the road reopened to traffic the following afternoon.
Five years ago a pregnant woman died after a tree fell on her minivan just six blocks away.
Wendy Rodriguez, 30, and boyfriend Luis Zavala were sitting in their vehicle outside their apartment when high winds caused a large tree to come crashing down.
According to ABC 11, Zavala said he was knocked unconscious and when he came round Rodriguez was screaming for help.
Both were rushed to a nearby hospital where Rodriguez, who was 21 weeks pregnant, was determined to be brain dead.
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