Derby dad's shock as giant tree comes crashing down on his car in Chaddesden

A Derby dad was left shocked after a giant tree came crashing down on his car in a Chaddesden street.

Christophe Lamarlière is relieved that he was inside his friend Leo’s house when the tree fell onto his Mercedes-Benz, which was parked in Carol Crescent, Chaddesden.

Fortunately, nobody was hurt in the dramatic incident, which took place at 10.30am on Wednesday morning, when windy conditions hit the city. But, it was still a worrying experience for Christophe, who says the cherry tree fell where his 18-month-old son usually sits.

The 39-year-old said: “I heard a loud bang and car alarm, then looked outside thinking it was a crash and there it was, a giant tree on my car.

“It was pretty scary as I could have been in the car with my 18-month-old son or it could have hit somebody in the street, at least the car is replaceable. 

“My son wasn’t with me, but the tree hit the side my son sits in his car seat, so that was a bit shocking and worrying.

“The most important thing is that everyone is okay, the car and financial things are not someone’s life.”

Christophe, who lives off Kedleston Road, is frustrated that the tree had not been removed before it fell, despite requests from homeowners in the street over the last few years.

The digital consultant added: “It turns out all the neighbours have been asking the council to remove the tree for years as it’s been moving in the wind. One homeowner was worried that it was going to fall into their bedroom.

“The council have been warned multiple times about this tree being loose and it needing to be removed but have never acted.

"It was the only big tree left on the street, all the others have gone - so I suspect there's been problems with large trees there before.

"I was frustrated when I found out that the council had not taken action. If they've been told about it, then why have they not removed it?"

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "It is very unfortunate that this incident has occurred and damage has been caused to the vehicle parked in Carol Crescent during the recent stormy conditions.

"The cherry tree outside this property was windblown during the morning of March 13 when the city was experiencing damaging wind conditions, where even healthily trees can fail.

"We receive many enquiries from residents who raise concerns with the general size of trees near to their property as there is a general public perception that a large healthy may be a risk to their property.

"The trees along this highway were last inspected by a City Council Arboricultural Officer during December 2018, where no structural defects were evident and only minor works were highlighted at this time.

"Whilst every effort is taken to detect defects is it not always possible to know what is going on underground in a tree's root system. No guarantee can be given to the absolute safety of any tree. No tree can be considered risk free.

"Our tree management methods are based on industry best practise which allow us to retain the mass benefits that trees provide whilst maintaining the risk associated with our tree stock at an acceptable level.

"Derby City Council strive to ensure public safety at all times whilst protecting our trees stock and the amenity of our City landscape.”