Strong gusts of wind have battered Merseyside this weekend
The worker was ’30 seconds’ from being crushed as a tree fell on Back ‘O’ Th Town Lane in Ince Blundell(Image: Les Harrison)
A man was “30 seconds” away from being crushed by a fallen tree as strong winds battered Merseyside on Saturday. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind today, lasting until 11.59pm, as Storm Amy caused havoc in Merseyside.
It saw many train services suspended for most of the day as trees fell onto the tracks and overhead lines were damaged by the strong winds. Mersey Ferries also stopped all services due to “adverse” weather conditions and football fans were warned of disruption as they made their way across the country today.
Everton also closed part of its Hill Dickinson Stadium due to Storm Amy. And, if the travel chaos wasn’t enough debris and buildings crashed onto the footpaths as powerful winds continued to batter Liverpool this afternoon.
In Ince Blundell a “major” road remains shut this evening after a “big big tree” split in two parts and fell into the road, almost squashing a worker, as it was battered by strong gusts of winds.
Les Harrison, who lives on Back ‘O’ Th Town Lane, told the ECHO how he heard a “gigantic snapping noise” moments before the ground “shook” as the tree collapsed.
He said: “There has been some very big winds here. It’s all countryside, with lots of trees. This tree [that has fallen] is in a farmer’s field, right next to the road. Earlier today half the tree fell down into the farmer’s field.
The ‘big’ tree blocking the road(Image: Les Harrison)
“Tree surgeons came out to deal with it then at around 7pm the other half fell into the road. We heard it go, it has completely blocked the road.”
He says one of the workers was 30 seconds away from being crushed by the “gigantic” tree. He said: “One of the first people to arrive here to deal with the tree parked his car up. He then moved it and no more than 30 seconds later the second half of the tree fell.
“If he had not moved his car and had been in it, he would have been squashed. It’s scary to think of.” Les said the workers are still dealing with the fallen tree and claims the road will be closed all night.
He said: “There is concern about another tree just down the road. It’s about to fall.” He said it’s “dangerous for the workers”.
Les says Back ‘O’ Th Town Lane is a national speed limit road with “lots of blind bends”. People are being urged to drive carefully in the area this evening and the Met Office has issued a warning to motorists.
Les added: “People come flying down this road and if they come round the corner and don’t see the tree, then the whole world drops on you.”
The yellow weather warning for wind ends at 11.59pm on Saturday. Here is the full hour-by-hour forecast for Liverpool tomorrow as more rain expected.