Birmingham residents have expressed their shock and sadness after a man was killed when a tree fell on his car during strong winds in Erdington.
The tragic incident occurred on Sutton Road around 15:00 GMT on Saturday, as 60mph (97km/h) gusts swept across the West Midlands, causing widespread damage and felling hundreds of trees.
Emergency services arrived promptly, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. West Midlands Police confirmed that the case had been referred to the coroner and the man’s next of kin had been informed. His identity has not yet been disclosed.
“A Big Bang and Silence”
Hafiz Khalid, a local resident, described hearing a loud noise and his daughter screaming as she saw the accident unfold through their window. “It was quite frightening,” Khalid recounted. “A big chunk of the tree was across the car’s windscreen. People were trying to open the doors, but the vehicle’s horn was continuously sounding.”
Khalid explained that police arrived shortly after and attempted to communicate with the driver. “They opened the back window on the left side, looked in, and shouted ‘Can you hear us?’ but there was no response,” he said.
Khalid, like many others in the community, expressed deep sadness at the shocking incident. “It’s very upsetting. Everyone around here is shaken by what happened.”
Community Members Tried to Help
Kevin Philpott, another local resident, was among the first to try to assist. “I ran out of the flat to see if I could be of any help,” Philpott said. “There was already a group of people around the car, trying to get in and help the driver. I concentrated on calling 999 and ensuring emergency services were on their way.”
Philpott described the horror he felt as the situation sank in. “It was truly horrific. There’s nothing that prepares you for something like this.”
Police Appeal for Information
Sgt Benjamin Parsons of the West Midlands Roads Policing Unit urged anyone who witnessed the incident or had relevant dashcam or mobile phone footage to come forward. “We’re conducting a thorough investigation and will pass our findings to the coroner,” he stated.
High Winds Cause Chaos
The accident occurred during a period of severe weather in the West Midlands, which saw winds reaching speeds of 60mph. Hundreds of trees were reported to have fallen, causing significant disruption across the region.
As authorities continue to investigate, the tragic event has left the local community mourning the loss of one of its members. Residents have expressed their condolences and a sense of helplessness in the face of the natural disaster.
Sutton Road remains cordoned off as police complete their work at the scene.
