A MAN was left covered in glass when a tree branch fell and smashed his windscreen while he was on his way to work.

Gary Hoole, from Blackburn, pulled out of Sellars Road and was driving down Spring Lane on Thursday morning at about 8.45am when he suddenly heard a crash – and discovered he was covered in glass.

He then saw a huge branch had fallen from a tree and hit his windscreen.

Gary said: “I had only left home for about two minutes because it’s just around the corner from me.

“If I had been 30 seconds earlier or later it wouldn’t have happened.

“The police and ambulance told me I was lucky and that if I had been in a different car, it could have been much more serious.”

Gary was driving a red Range Rover Sport which he only bought in May was his pride and joy.

He has been told by the recovery staff that the car could potentially be a write off however he is still waiting to hear back.

The council has since arranged for tree surgeons to cut down the dead branches off the tree.

Gary added: "That road is quite busy every morning with people taking their children to school.

"Thank goodness something has been done."

A council spokesperson said: “This incident was reported via our Highways Team on Thursday and our tree contractor was asked to attend after an inspection of the tree on Spring Lane had been made, which they did as soon as they were able.

"The remainder of any damaged branches were then cut out of the tree. We will also again be surveying the trees in this area.

"Any reports of tree defects can be made at: www.blackburn.gov.uk/trees-and-high-hedges/tree-maintenance.”