SHOCKED residents said it felt like an "earthquake" as an old eucalyptus tree fell onto parked cars. 

Neighbours rushed into the street as the giant tree came down on top of cars in Leckhampton Close, off Tetbury Drive.

It was growing on land next to a private car park when it fell on Tuesday evening (April 19). 

Two cars were cut out from underneath the tree by firefighters who then moved the cars to the other side of the road.

Worcester News: The area has been cordoned off around the tree to make it safe. The area has been cordoned off around the tree to make it safe. (Image: NQ)

A van was also trapped under the tree and appeared to be badly damaged.

Neighbours said the sound of the tree falling felt like an earthquake and they were shocked and surprised the tree had fallen because it had been around since the 1960s.

 

Firefighters and members of the Highways Department at Worcestershire County Council cordoned off the area where the tree fell at around 6pm.

Worcester News: The area has been cordoned off around the tree to make it safe. The area has been cordoned off around the tree to make it safe. (Image: NQ)

Another neighbour said the tree has been around since 1967.

She said: "I was surprised that something like this has happened.

"It's a shame. It was a good, old tree."

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "My car was parked where the trees were and I saw my car under the tree.

"It's scratched, dented, and damaged. I don't know if my car will be written off." 

Worcester News: The area has been cordoned off around the tree to make it safe. The area has been cordoned off around the tree to make it safe. (Image: NQ)

Firefighters left the scene at just before 10pm.

A fire service spokesperson said: "Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service was called out at 4.17pm on Tuesday to make vehicles safe after an incident in Leckhampton Close, Worcester.

"One Worcester Fire Station crew attended the scene where a large, falling tree had landed upon vehicles in a car park with no people trapped.

"One van was primarily affected and a tree surgeon helped release it from under the tree with a Worcester relief crew stepping in as the work went into the evening.

"The incident was left with the highways agency and marked as pending closure for HWFRS at 9.58pm."