Massive tree falls onto block of flats at Tollgate Road in Salisbury

Camelia Boricean heard an "extremely loud bang" this morning at around 11.25. The tree fell at Wyld House on Tollgate Road. 

UPDATE: Crane brought in to remove tree from block of flats on Tollgate Road

The 23-year-old told the Journal she had a panic attack earlier and added: "I'm still scared. The tree is above my room and hanging. It is massive and no-one has taken it yet."

Read more: Live updates as Storm Eunice hits Salisbury

She recalls being on her laptop when she "heard something I never heard in my life".

"I lived in Romania before where we have earthquakes and I've never heard this thing in my life. It was boom, boom, boom and the block was shaking.

"I fell on the floor. I was asking my sister 'where are you?'.

"She said 'I'm here, is your room down?'. I said 'it's up still'."

Camelia then called the emergency services and police attended the scene along with Wiltshire Council.

She says the massive tree has survived various storms over the seven years she has lived there and she "felt like crying" seeing it end up this way.

The strong roots are keeping it from completely toppling over but it is hanging over her neighbour's flat.

"I'm scared that some of the branches might actually go through the windows or into the wall," she added.

Having been through earthquakes and storms back in Romania, Camelia says she's never had a tree fall over her room.

She is waiting to hear when the tree will be removed.

"If the storm is going to continue the tree is likely to fall and break the windows and stuff like that so we'll probably have to sleep somewhere else tonight," she continued.

"At the moment nothing is damaged except the roof of the block. I think it is completely damaged above. I haven't checked because I'm scared to go on the block. The tree is over the block, hanging there waiting for someone to come with machines and cut it down."

When she saw the tree she said: "I was honestly like no this can't be happening."

"The sound was similar to what you hear on the news when buildings are collapsing due to earthquakes. It was sort of vibrating. That was like for five to six seconds. But it was enough for me me to go into shock," said Camelia, who is urging people to stay at home if they can.

Terence Herbert, the Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council, said: “Yes, we are aware that a tree has fallen on Wyld House in Salisbury. Thankfully no one has been hurt and we are currently on site assessing the damage to the property.

"This is a council-owned block of flats, and we are supporting residents as we assess the state of the property and whether we need to rehouse the tenants. We will remove the fallen tree as soon as it is safe to do so."

More storm-related news:

• Homes in and around Salisbury left with no power
• Roof tiles blown off from house in Old Sarum 
• Fallen trees blocking roads in and around Wiltshire, including A303 
• The Salisbury roads you should avoid due to storm damage
• Weather warning for parts of south Wiltshire upgraded from amber to red

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