A KIDDERMINSTER plumber had a lucky escape today when Storm Doris brought a tree down on to his van just minutes before he got back into it.

A large tree came crashing down on to a house and the Forest Heat van in College Walk, Kidderminster, shortly after 11.30am this morning (Feb 23).

No-one was injured but Forest Heat co-owner Rebecca Payne said their engineer Martin Hickman was just moments from returning to the van after fixing the boiler in the property.

The incident left Mr Hickman and the occupants of the house shaken up.

Mrs Payne, who runs the company alongside her husband Stuart, said: “The van is a complete write-off but we are just grateful that no-one was hurt.

“Martin had been working at the property and had finished the job. He was just sorting out the paperwork with the owners when the tree fell right on the van.

“Another couple of minutes and he would have been sitting in it. He is shaken up and keeps thinking about what might have happened.

“The owners of the house are shook up about it too. The tree has caused a substantial amount of damage and the property is being assessed.”

She added: “This is unbelievable. You see and read about things like this but you never think it could happen to someone you know.

“We will sort out replacing the van in due course but, like I said, thankfully no-one was injured.”

Caitlyn Wall

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Clear up of the fallen tree on college walk.

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Clear up of the fallen tree on college walk.

Caitlyn Wall

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Lindsay Turford

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Ledbury Reporter: Bridge Street/Dunley Road Stourport. Road completely blocked at 12.30pm by fallen tree.Bridge Street/Dunley Road Stourport. Road completely blocked at 12.30pm by fallen tree.
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