‘Shock’ after tree surgeon injured in Eastbourne

The man, reportedly a tree surgeon, suffered ‘potentially serious’ injuries in the incident at the Grove Road roundabout at about 11am.

Kay Allan from Nelson Coffee said a branch fell to the ground, ricocheted back up, hitting the man on the head and causing him to fall to the floor and hit the concrete.

The barista said, “I saw the guy’s helmet rolling away. He was on the floor and wasn’t moving.

“I didn’t know what to make of it. People in cars got out and just rushed to help him. And people in the shop were watching on and were shocked.”

Kate Hewitt from Bourne Store, which overlooks the roundabout, said, “I was very sad when I saw him on the floor.

“One minute they were singing away working as a team and the next thing he’s on the floor.”

Emergency services including an air ambulance were called to the scene and the casualty was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton by road, said the ambulance service.