Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A large, falling tree branch nearly flattened two people and their dog, and a security camera caught the whole terrifying scene on video. The shocking footage is a grim reminder that unstable tree branches can fall at any time, and it’s important to be aware of the hazard while hiking, camping, or even just being outside.
“Saved by an inch,” wrote Vivint in a Facebook post sharing the frightening video. Vivint is a home-security company that shares customers’ footage on social media. This particular video has over 400,000 views on Instagram and nearly 90,000 likes on Facebook.
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Thankfully, in this case, the two people survived the falling tree branch. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In July, a 29-year-old woman who was hiking with a group on a popular trail in Yosemite National Park died when a large tree branch fell and crushed her.
When hiking and walking under large trees, be mindful that tree branches could fall. Teach your children to listen for loud cracks and to run away if they hear a branch cracking above them. Never pitch your tent beneath dead, dying, or diseased trees (or any trees, if you want to be totally safe).
Watch as a tree branch nearly falls on two people and their dog:
Header stock image by Akaradech Pramoonsin/Getty Images