""As we came round the bend we just saw this tree, literally falling in front of us. My instinct was that if I was to brake heavily I would hit the main parts of the tree, so in that split second I decided to accelerate. "I was doing maybe 45mph when we hit the tree," Mr Williams said, describing the weather as "damp, but not windy". "I couldn't see the tree or the branches, the windscreen shattered so badly. All I saw was a white light.""
""I thought if I could accelerate fast enough the tree would land behind me. "The tree threw me on to the other side of the road. I was 'snaking' but I decided not to brake heavily or turn the steering wheel because the car would've rolled over," he said."
""The mileage I've done, I've encountered people braking heavily, I've had people pulling out in front of me and doing things they shouldn't. My awareness of what's on the horizon and behind me means I'm always scanning.""
Terry Williams, a private-hire driver with more than two million miles of experience, encountered a large tree falling onto the A404 at Holmer Green while driving at about 45mph. He chose to accelerate to try to clear the danger rather than brake, which led to the windscreen shattering and the car being thrown to the other side of the road. He avoided heavy braking or sharp steering to prevent a rollover. Two passengers, Emma Hill and her mother Susan Jamson, were on board, and Jamson praised Williams's calm, reassuring driving. Williams credits his extensive experience and constant scanning for averting a worse outcome.
Read at www.bbc.com
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