Gallery: A split second from tornado tragedy

The front of the car is crushed by the fallen tree

THIS was the moment that two people escaped disaster by a split second - when a mini-tornado sent a large tree crashing down into the path of their car.

The tree smashed into the bonnet of their Proton as the twister hit Lowestoft on Saturday morning - had it fallen a moment later, it would've gone through the roof of the car itself. The occupants escaped without serious injury.

It was one of a series of dramatic incidents sparked by fierce weather battering the county at the weekend, with roof tiles ripped off, walls blown over and trees damaged.

Among the worst affected areas was Easton, near Wickham Market, where another small tornado caused devastation in a matter of seconds.

A 60ft yew tree, thought to be 160-170 years old, came down at the home of Carol Davis, causing her wall to collapse at it was uprooted.

Mrs Davis, who was at home with her husband, John, said: “It suddenly started to rain terribly heavily. I heard a couple of bangs and looked out and saw the yew tree. It had come down on all the outbuildings and smashed our garden furniture.

“The top of it landed no more than four feet away from the house. It was a bit scary.”

Experts are warning of more possible gales on the way tonight and unsettled conditions lasting until Thursday.