Driver who survived tree fall told 'buy lottery ticket'

The huge tree fell on the car crushing the roof and smashing the windscreen

A driver who escaped injury when a huge tree fell on his car was told by a firefighter "get a lottery ticket".

Storm Bronagh brought down the tree in Nottingham Road, Trowell in Nottinghamshire, at about 02:40 BST.

Watch manager Ray Burton said: "The first thing I did was shake his hand and tell him to get a lottery ticket. He is the luckiest person I know."

The driver, Darrell Starr, managed to get himself out of the vehicle but was described as "clearly shaken".

Mr Starr said his Range Rover car had "probably" saved his life.

The 53-year-old from Bilborough, Nottingham said he had been on his way to work when the road "vanished" in front of him.

"I slammed on the brakes, but the tree landed on my car.

"The scary part is not being able to stop. There was nothing I could have done.

"The car probably saved my life."

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The lorry driver said all the emergency services said he was lucky to have walked free without a scratch.

"I didn't feel very lucky at the time," he said.

"But looking at the car now it looks that way."

The tree is blocking the road in both directions and the fire service said it was likely to be closed until the afternoon.

Mr Burton added: "It's worth noting that this tree is huge, and it will take some time."

The driver was told he was the "luckiest person" to escape uninjured