Lucky escape as falling tree narrowly misses runners in Preston

Runners had a lucky escape at Prestons Parkrun when part of a large tree crashed down in the middle of the race on Saturday.
Runners at Preston had a near miss when this tree crashed down close to a footpath in Avenham and Miller ParkRunners at Preston had a near miss when this tree crashed down close to a footpath in Avenham and Miller Park
Runners at Preston had a near miss when this tree crashed down close to a footpath in Avenham and Miller Park

The large section of tree fell straight across the path and on top of a park bench at Avenham and Miller Park, forcing runners to stop and shout warnings.

Nobody was injured in the incident, which occurred at around 9.15am when most runners were on the second lap of a three lap course.

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Volunteers stewards quickly moved the branches out of the way, allowing the event to continue.

Runners at Preston had a near miss when this tree crashed down close to a footpath in Avenham and Miller ParkRunners at Preston had a near miss when this tree crashed down close to a footpath in Avenham and Miller Park
Runners at Preston had a near miss when this tree crashed down close to a footpath in Avenham and Miller Park

A cordon was put up and the council alerted.

One runner said the tree fell right in front of her.

She said: “It’s amazing no-one was hit - it came out of nowhere from really high up.

“We just shouted warnings to those behind us.”

The fallen tree in Avenham and Miller Park, PrestonThe fallen tree in Avenham and Miller Park, Preston
The fallen tree in Avenham and Miller Park, Preston

It is suspected the tree had been hit by lightning previously and weakened.

Parkrun is a free 5km event which happens, mainly on Saturdays, at parks and locations up and down the country and across the world.

It is run by volunteers.