A postman had a narrow escape in Penarth today when a large tree was blown down onto a Royal Mail van in Westfield Drive Penarth.
The tree collapsed as storm force winds and torrential rain battered the town in a bout of bad weather that’s lasted almost all day .
The tree’s roots gave way this afternoon bringing several tonnes of timber down onto the road – and onto the little red van – and completely blocking the road into the bargain .
One local resident Ken Langley – who took these dramatic pictures – said that when he arrived on the scene at Westfield Drive – just off Dinas Road – at 16:15 he wasn’t able to get to his home because of the collapse. Tree surgeons were called-in to saw off the branches and reduce the trunk to manageable sections so it could be removed.
Powerful gusts of wind accompanied by torrential rain have been sweeping Penarth for most of the day and there has been slight flooding on some roads.
The most recent similar tree collapse in Penarth was in StAugustine’s Ward in July last year which resulted in a bill of over £1,000 for Penarth Town Council. This time though, a Royal Mail vehicle has been written off – and so the bill is likely to be much higher – although it remains to be seen whether it will be the Vale or the Town Council which has to eventually “stump-up”.
