Three people escaped serious njury by seconds when a tree fell on their car on the A396 at Wheddon Cross during a gale last Saturday and they were able to walk from the crash.

Rescue crews and police had been warned that the driver and three passengers were trapped under the tree but a Minehead Fire Station spokesman said: “There would have been far more serious consequences had the car arrived at a spot a matter of seconds earlier.

“There were no serious injuries because the car had missed being fully impacted by about a metre and only pinched by the outer branches. The crews ensured that the scene was safe and the occupants climbed out unaided.

“They certainly had a lucky escape by a matter of seconds just as the tree fell.”