Couple's lucky escape as tree falls on house

The tree came down following strong winds caused by Storm Lilian

A family from Leeds had a lucky escape when a tree crashed through the roof of their house following strong winds caused by Storm Lilian.

Rosamund Booth said she had "never got out of bed so fast" when the tree came through her bedroom ceiling at home in Roundhay at about 07:15 BST on Friday.

The storm brought destruction and disruption across the UK, with 21,000 homes and businesses in West Yorkshire temporarily left without power.

Mrs Booth and her husband Richard said they had previously asked for the trees in the area to be cut back, however Leeds City Council said safety complaints needed a "valid application".

Mr Booth said he was "absolutely furious" about a situation he claimed was "totally" preventable.

However, a spokesperson for the city council said the trees in the area were privately-owned and were covered by a Tree Preservation Order.

"Any complaint about the safety of a tree can only be acted on if we receive a valid application to carry out any works," they said.

Mr and Mrs Booth claim they previously asked for the tree to be cut down

Mrs Booth said they sleep "just under the tree" and their granddaughter had also been in the house, located on West Park Grove, when it fell down.

"I shot out of bed to see if she was OK," she said.

Mr Booth added: "I went to make a cup of tea and suddenly there was a huge crash and a large branch came shooting off the roof [and] took out the sun deck at the back.

"It was like thunder, like a really loud wind, then it crashed into the ceiling."

As well as crashing through a bedroom ceiling, branches from the tree also came through a bathroom ceiling and wiped out an outdoor balcony.

"It was a worry if the house was safe," said Mr Booth.

He claimed they asked for the trees on their street to be cut back or reduced in height in 2021.

Months later they were reduced by 15%, "which is nothing", said Mr Booth.

Mrs Booth said she was "still in shock" and added: "We told them this would happen, but nobody listened."

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