Lucky escape for local MLA from falling tree

The accident happened on Harry's Road in Hillsborough, less than a minute from Mr McCrea's home.

"As I was making my way home on Sunday during an intensely stormy night, I found myself driving through a very dark part of the road as due to other fallen debris, the road lamps were out," explained Mr McCrea.

"I collided with a fallen tree that was lying on the road; however it was not the trunk but the branches that caused the severe damage.

"One branch shattered straight through my window screen destroying the entirety of the glass. I was very fortunate that I didn't hit the tree any harder than I did, and only suffered a black eye as a result.

"I was less than a few minutes from home, and when you are so close to where you live and know your area so well it's easy to get lulled into feeling safe against these sorts of incidents," continued Mr McCrea.

"The experience made things seem so real. For those few moments when you realise you aren't going to get stopped in time, that your future is far from certain. For those few seconds it makes you realise how vulnerable you really are and how you've taken for granted the safety that comes from be so near to home.

"I would advise others in the area to look out for any weather warnings, and be mindful of the dangers that come with this time of year. You never think it might happen to you but it can."

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