A 63-year-old man has escaped without injuries after a massive oak tree crashed onto his car during Storm Austen in Dorset, southern England, leaving the vehicle severely damaged.

Pete Smith, a financier from Poole, was waiting at a temporary traffic light in Swanage on Friday when powerful winds brought down the approximately 50-foot tree, trapping him inside his black BMW 4-Series.

Smith said the incident happened suddenly, with a loud bang followed by the collapse of the car’s roof and shattered glass scattering around him.

He described the experience as terrifying, explaining that the fallen tree covered the vehicle so extensively that he could not free himself. However, passers-by quickly gathered at the scene and helped pull him from the wreckage.

Despite the extensive damage to his car, Smith escaped without a scratch. He said he was still shaken by the incident and struggled to comprehend how he had survived what could easily have been fatal.

His daughter, Loren Smith, described her father’s survival as a miracle, saying he had been just inches away from potentially life-threatening consequences. She expressed gratitude that he returned home unharmed, adding that the family remained deeply affected by how narrowly he escaped death.

The storm also caused significant damage elsewhere in Dorset, where a large sycamore tree fell onto a newly purchased van valued at approximately £40,000 outside a disabled woman’s home in Bournemouth.

The vehicle belonged to David and Louise Lee. Louise, who relies on the van following the amputation of her foot, alleged that residents had repeatedly raised concerns about the condition of trees along Mallard Road with the local council.

She said the situation had caused considerable anxiety because children regularly used the road on their way to and from school. The couple expressed fears that further falling trees could endanger residents and damage nearby homes.

Responding to the incident, BCP Council said its teams were working to remove fallen trees and branches from roads, footpaths and public spaces amid the challenging weather conditions.

Andy Hadley, the council’s cabinet member for climate response, environment and energy, said emergency reports were being prioritised to protect public safety and maintain access to properties and highways.

The council also expressed sympathy over the damage to the resident’s vehicle, while noting that powerful storm winds could cause even healthy trees to fall.

Storm Austen has brought severe weather conditions across parts of the United Kingdom, with strong gusts and heavy seas contributing to disruptions and damage in affected areas.