Six-foot in diameter fallen oak tree so large it also damages nearby building
A Stagecoach South bus driver suffered serious injuries when a large oak tree fell on his vehicle during strong winds in Surrey.
The man suffered head and chest injuries and had to be cut free from the bus after the tree, which was 6ft in diameter, struck the Dennis Dart in Witley, Godalming, on January 3.
Surrey Police said the driver had been taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London. His colleagues revealed the following day that his injuries were not life threatening, though they were of course still serious.
Two passengers on board the bus at the time of the incident, which happened on the A283 Petworth Road, were unharmed, according to Stagecoach. CBW understands they were sitting on the back seats of the vehicle and hence escaped injury.
The tree also damaged a nearby building.
A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “The incident took place at 0825hrs on January 3, when a large oak tree, measuring 6ft across, fell on the Stagecoach bus.
“The driver, who was freed by fire crews, has suffered serious injuries and he was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting.”
The force said the A283 had been closed in both directions to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.
A Stagecoach spokesman said: “We can confirm that a bus operating on route number 70, between Haslemere and Guildford, was involved in an incident on White Hart Road in Witley.
“Two passengers were travelling on the bus and neither have sustained any injuries.
“Our first priority and thoughts are with our driver and his family at this difficult time.”
