Shock as Oxford university tree falls on busy street

Walkers and cyclists were "shocked and startled" to see a tree had fallen in a city centre, an onlooker has said.

The tree fell on Broad Street from The University of Oxford's Trinity College on Tuesday evening, blocking the road.

Matthew Shaw said he cycled along the street at about 17:25 BST but when he returned 30 minutes later the tree was on the ground.

Oxfordshire County Council said the tree was cleared overnight by contractors as it was impacting the road. No one was hurt in the incident.

A spokesperson for the university said: "We can confirm that the tree that fell down came from Trinity College; thankfully nobody was hurt and there is nothing to suggest that it was deliberate."

Speaking about what he witnessed Shaw said: "People were quite startled and concerned if there was anyone hurt.

"Cyclists and walkers were working out how to get around it, and the tour guides were moving their starting points for their groups - it was by a spot where they gather - and then people took photographs.

"I found a police officer nearby to report it, but they already knew about it."

The university spokesperson added that Trinity College "has an ongoing tree safety inspection regime and the tree was inspected recently, and not flagged as particularly dangerous," but explained "there is always an element of unpredictability with wind and other conditions".

Thames Valley Police said the incident was a council matter.