A DOG walker has described the moment a huge tree broke in half and smashed into a bridge in a Blackburn park.

Stuart Mcintyre was walking his dog Oscar in Witton Park this morning when he heard the tree crack.

The 55-year-old videoed the tree falling into the River Darwen with part of its branches landing on a bridge used by walkers.

Mr Mcintyre warned the consequences could have been fatal had somebody been standing on the river bank when it happened.

He said: “It is absolutely mind-boggling.

“I was walking my dog when I heard this weird cracking noise.

“Then I could see this tree starting to sway. I started to video it and then it broke in half in front of me.

“It smashed into the bridge. Half of it is hanging over the bridge.

“I didn’t realise how big the tree was and how much danger I was in. I didn’t realise how far it would come towards me.

“A lot of people have had concerns about the trees in the park.

“A lot of dog walkers stand on the bank and throw sticks in for their dogs. If that had happened when someone was standing there they could have been killed.”

Last summer three schoolgirls had a ‘miraculous’ escape when a tree fell on them while they were fishing in the River Darwen in the same park. 

A Council spokesman said: “We are aware of this issue, and an officer is visiting the park to assess the situation. We will take action if it is needed.”