Driver's miraculous escape after branch ploughs straight through windscreen during Storm Doris

A driver had a miracle escape after a giant tree ploughed through her windscreen – missing her by inches – during Storm Doris.

Sarah Robb, 40, had just left her home when a 30-ft long branch crashed into her BMW 3 Series estate as Storm Doris battered Britain on Thursday.

Her near-miss was captured by a dashcam in her car, with dramatic footage showing the tree coming flying towards the car, shattering the windscreen.

Marketing manager Sarah said she had just got onto the road near her home in Syston, Leciestershire, when she heard a huge bang as the tree hit her car.

“The impact had caved part of the roof and bonnet in and a large branch had come through the windscreen and ended up embedded in the steering column just inches from my body.”

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“When they removed the tree the large branch had speared through the steering column so if I had left two seconds later it would have been through me.

“It was a miracle it did not hit me. I know I am very lucky to be alive but I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet.”

Sarah was left trapped in the car after the 2ft-thick branch fell on the car and had to enlisted the help of passers-by to get out.

“The driver’s door would not open so I lowered the window and shouted out for help,” she said. “Some passing women and a couple of builders who were working nearby came to my aid.

“They managed to move enough of the tree so that I could inch my way out of the car through the passenger door with their help.”

She added: “When I got out and saw the size of the tree on my car I could not believe I had got out alive. The section of tree was about 30-feet long and about two feet in diameter at its thickest.”

Police took Sarah for a check-up at Leicester Royal Infirmary and the company car has been sent to the garage but is expected to be a write-off.

Sarah put her safety down to the “sturdiness” of her car, adding: “Thank goodness for German engineering.”