A Sutton tree surgeon who managed to “lean back just in time” before a tree came crashing onto his car in Witcham yesterday (23) escaped with just a small cut on his hand.
David Keene was driving to work through Witcham when the tree fell onto his car.
“I was driving through the village and stopped just in time,” said Mr Keene, who works for Ely-based company SOS Shamba Outdoor Services.
“In all honestly, I heard a crack and thought ‘this isn’t going to end well’.
“I had to lean back and squeeze into the space between the passenger seat and the driver’s seat... then I just watched as the roof of the car slowly came in at me.”
Having miraculously escaped with just a small cut on his hand, David said the outcome could have been much worse.
“If I had carried on a bit more it would have been right on top of my head.
“It makes you think but, amazingly, I’m absolutely fine – apart from a cut caused by the shattered glass.”
David said the fact that it was a conker tree helped improve his chances.
“The right hand branches fell onto the bank first and formed a sort of bridge,” he added, meaning that the weight of tree that fell onto his car was lessened.
“I want to say a big thank-you to everyone in the village - they were really supportive,” he added.
“I had people offering me tea, help and even a hug from one person.
“Everyone was just really, really lovely. And also thank-you to everyone that stopped and asked if I was OK.”
Elliot Warren, a 16-year-old student who lives in Mepal, rushed home to get his camera when he saw the tree blocking the road whilst he was on his way to college.
“Miraculously, David escaped with next to zero damage, suffering only a small cut on his hand, which was caused by the shattered windscreen.
“He told me he was lucky to see the tree fall and managed to lean back just in time before the tree hit the vehicle.
“He also told me that due to the shape of the tree he stood more of a chance, as the first large branches to hit the ground softened the blow of the main trunk.”
At first Elliot didn’t realise there was a car under the tree.
Elliot added: “It’s unbelievable, but David deals with blown down fences and trees for a job.
“It’s amazing how he was fine after what happened. He was completely unscathed and had a big smile on his face for the whole time; it was incredible.
“It was surprising how happy he was and that he wasn’t wounded. All he has is a cut that’s smaller than the average size of a paper cut.”
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