The “luckiest postman alive” narrowly cheated death when a huge tree crashed onto a postbox in front of him.
Adam Wilson, 40, says he was just “15 seconds” away from being crushed by the 300-year-old oak tree. The postie was delivering mail on Ripon Road in Ronkswood, Worcester, on Thursday (21/3) morning when the tree toppled over.
The 40ft-high tree missed Adam by a matter of inches while several heavy branches came down on a nearby postbox.
The dad-of-three said: “I have to be the luckiest postman alive. In another 15 seconds I would have been standing directly underneath the falling tree.”
Adam said a “mix-up” with the mail meant there was a momentary delay which saved his life.
He added: “I had to double back towards nearby Newtown Road. I was crossing the road and saw the tree come down with a boom.”
“If there had not been that mix-up with the mail the tree would have got me.”
“I feel like I had a lucky escape. I’ve had two people tell me to go and buy a lottery ticket and a Chinese lady told me I was very lucky.”
It is believed the tree may have been weakened by a combination of strong winds and cars hitting it.
Resident Jon Barras, 57, said: “A truck backed into it. This happens regularly. It gets hit around twice a month.”
“It’s a shame. It’s one more tree gone. Coppicing might have helped. I just wish I had a wood burner.”
