'Lucky escape' as tree falls on van in Manchester

The tree came down in high winds in Longsight

A van driver had a "lucky escape" when a large tree fell in high winds on to his vehicle, said fire crews in Manchester.

It happened at 10:00 GMT on Birchfields Road in Longsight.

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service said the driver suffered only minor injuries when the 70ft (20m) tree crashed on to his windscreen.

In Barton Square, Trafford Park, a man suffered spinal injuries after being reportedly struck by falling roofing.

A lorry overturned on Barton Bridge near the Trafford Centre

He was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, three other people suffered minor injuries.

Elsewhere, a lorry overturned on the M60 Barton Bridge near the Trafford Centre.

Two lanes were closed on the clockwise side between junctions 10 and 11. The Highways Agency said it would take several hours to clear.

The driver of the lorry suffered minor injuries.

The Chill Factore indoor ski and snow centre, also near the Trafford Centre, was forced to close for safety reasons when a section of its roof came away in the high winds.

Trains between Manchester and Stoke were stopped because of a tree on the line near Prestbury, said Northern Rail.

A section of Deansgate, in Manchester city centre, was closed in both directions due to falling debris from a Waterstones branch.

A maintenance team is using a crane to secure any loose material on the roof of the building.