RESIDENTS OF Pitkerro Road in Dundee warned that a tree branch which crashed on to the road last night could have caused a serious accident or killed someone.

The bough, buffeted by yesterday’s blustery winds, split from the tree and fell on to the road around 9.25pm, blocking the northbound carriageway.

A police patrol was quickly on the scene to direct traffic around the hazard, but residents warned that the collapse could have had disastrous consequences.

Elizabeth Clark, who lives within yards of the tree, said, “Someone could have been killed.

“I sometimes walk up that way with my dogs. I won’t be walking that way now.”

The scar to the trunk of mature beech tree, near the junction between Pitkerro Road and Craighill Court, revealed that a significant part of the trunk was rotten.

Leigh Jackson, who also lives in the shadow of the tree with her children Darren (7), Larrah (9) and Paul (10), said, “It could have caused a bad accident if it had landed on somebody or in front of a car.

“When you look at it, it is dangerous.

“If the wind had been coming the other way then a branch could have come through my roof.

“If it’s rotten then I think it’s dangerous. They should cut it down.”

Christina Roberts, councillor for the East End, said, “I didn’t think it was that windy.

“My neighbour from round the corner phoned and said that a few branches were looking precarious. When she looked down the street she saw the branch in the middle of the road.

“On Tuesday I will speak to the relevant department and get someone to go out and look at the trees, as the ones on Pitkerro Road are well established and if branches start breaking off it could be dangerous as it is a main bus route.

“In this type of situation we can’t go out and do anything until the damage has started, and I hope no one gets injured in the process.”

The branch remained partially attached to the tree trunk after it blew down, frustrating efforts to clear the obstruction quickly last night.

Police called the public works division of Dundee City Council to help.

The road was open again by 11.15pm.