A man has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being crushed by a large tree believed to have been damaged during recent stormy weather.
The terrifying incident happened just before 5pm today on Shirehampton Road, in Bristol, as the victim was reportedly out walking his dog.
Emergency services raced to the scene, with both police and fire crews responding quickly to the alarm.
The man was found with ‘serious’ injuries and immediate taken to hospital for further treatment.
It has been reported that the tree had been weakened due to heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity earlier in the day, with reports of lightning in the area.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘We were called by the ambulance service shortly before 5pm to reports a man had been injured after a tree fell in Shirehampton Road in the Stoke Bishop area of Bristol.
‘Emergency services attended and the man was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries described as serious.’
The terrifying incident happened just before 5pm today on Shirehampton Road, in Bristol, as the victim was reportedly out walking his dog
Emergency services raced to the scene, with both police and fire crews responding quickly to the alarm
One local resident told Bristol Live: ‘At around 9am this morning I was woken up by the loudest thunder/lightning which sounded like it hit a tree in my back garden.
‘I live a stone’s throw away from Stoke Lodge playing field and it looks like, judging by all the emergency response currently on scene, that a large tree was actually struck potentially weakening it and now it looks to have fallen crushing someone walking past.
‘Unsure of the current condition of the person and of course prayers are with them and their family at this time.’
Another witness also told the publication that the tree had been previously damaged in the stormy weather, and that the man had been out walking his dog when it collapsed.
A local community page posted about the distressing incident, writing: ‘There was an unfortunate incident this afternoon at Stoke Lodge when a very large branch fell from a tree. A member of the public was underneath and suffered injuries as a result. There was a very fast and comprehensive attendance by emergency services who were marvellous.’
Local councillor Kaz Self expressed her concern on social media, posting to her X account: ‘I do hope the dog walker who was in close vicinity to a falling branch on Stoke Lodge open space is okay’.
Police have not yet released further details about the man’s condition.
The council has been approached for comment.
