A man from Scotland, Barry Will, had a close brush with death when a tree fell just millimetres away from him during Storm Eowyn. The 28-year-old recounted the harrowing experience of almost being crushed by the tree as he was about to cross a pedestrian crossing on Regent Road in Edinburgh. Barry, a community organiser, had ventured out to collect a work phone around 10 am before the red weather warning was issued at the same time. His quick reflexes and decision-making saved him from a fatal accident.
Describing the moment the tree came crashing down, Barry said, “As I went to cross the road, this massive tree just completely uprooted and fell in the middle of the road,” he continued, “It completely swallowed up the entire pedestrian crossing when it was about to turn green… If I had stepped out into it, I would have been wiped out by the tree pretty much.” Barry emphasized that there was no escape once the tree fell, covering the entire junction and leaving him with limited options to avoid the danger.
The massive tree not only narrowly missed Barry but also avoided hitting The Regent Bar, his favourite pub. Images captured the extent of the tree blocking the pedestrian crossing and pavement. Despite the relief felt by his friends and family, Barry highlighted their shock at how close the impact of the storm came to their homes. Storm Eowyn brought gusts of up to 90mph across Scotland, leading many to stay indoors for safety.
Reflecting on the experience, Barry expressed frustration as some of his friends were compelled to go to work despite the dangerous weather conditions. He stressed, “Nothing is worth that risk… They were forced to have to travel to work.” Police Scotland advised the public against travelling in areas affected by the red weather warning to ensure safety for all.
In conclusion, Barry’s story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and potentially life-threatening nature of severe weather conditions like Storm Eowyn. It underscores the importance of heeding weather warnings and prioritising safety above all else during such events.