callumwa
Free Member
- Jan 16, 2011
- 4,110
- 4,480
- Funster No
- 14,968
- MH
- Coachbuilt
- Exp
- 4 yrs +, 30+ yrs motorbike touring
We watched a great thunderstorm out at sea from the camping site bar last night.
I went back and brought the awning in etc as the wind was getting up rapidly.
About 2;30 am my wife woke me the van was shaking and rocking, the wind was moving the van violently and the rain was lashing down. I got up from the overcab bed where we were sleeping and ran to shut the sky lights and windows fully as the rain was blowing in. There was a loud bang and a crack, then the van shook. My wife cried out. She was trapped in the overcab. I climbed up the ladder and tried to push the roof up as it was on top of her. I could not move it no matter how hard I pushed. I went out for help...
The rain was torrential and there was 2 or 3 inches of water all around. I then saw a 30 or 40 foot tree had been uprooted and had collapsed right onto the front of our van right dead centre on the overcab.
I banged on other nearby vans and shouted for help. After a few minutes again trying to push the roof up to free my wife a German came, he tried to help me push the roof up but we could not free my wife who was screaming. I then realised the only way was to try to drive the van back in reverse away from the tree. After a few attempts I managed to get the van go back a few metres and release the weight of the tree. We then managed to get my wife free. Thank God.
Fire brigade police and ambulance arrived. The fire Brigade cut the rest of the tree away with a chain saw. Fortunately the boys who were sleeping in the rear of the van were ok. My wife was treated by the medics who gave her an injection, her pelvis was hurting but they said it just bruising.
It is now all quiet, so amazingly quiet, no wind nothing. We are in shock but ok. The overcab is cracked and banana shaped in the middle, as is the rooflight, sat dome etc are all smashed. I have tried to call Caravan Club Insurance but can get no answer on their numbers.
The boys are asleep again. There was I joking with the boys about lightening strikes last night. God what a nightmare. Hope the van is ok. I reversed over some stuff to back away from the tree. Full inspection in daylight will reveal the full extent.
I hope we can sleep a bit.............. I am just in shock right now........
I went back and brought the awning in etc as the wind was getting up rapidly.
About 2;30 am my wife woke me the van was shaking and rocking, the wind was moving the van violently and the rain was lashing down. I got up from the overcab bed where we were sleeping and ran to shut the sky lights and windows fully as the rain was blowing in. There was a loud bang and a crack, then the van shook. My wife cried out. She was trapped in the overcab. I climbed up the ladder and tried to push the roof up as it was on top of her. I could not move it no matter how hard I pushed. I went out for help...
The rain was torrential and there was 2 or 3 inches of water all around. I then saw a 30 or 40 foot tree had been uprooted and had collapsed right onto the front of our van right dead centre on the overcab.
I banged on other nearby vans and shouted for help. After a few minutes again trying to push the roof up to free my wife a German came, he tried to help me push the roof up but we could not free my wife who was screaming. I then realised the only way was to try to drive the van back in reverse away from the tree. After a few attempts I managed to get the van go back a few metres and release the weight of the tree. We then managed to get my wife free. Thank God.
Fire brigade police and ambulance arrived. The fire Brigade cut the rest of the tree away with a chain saw. Fortunately the boys who were sleeping in the rear of the van were ok. My wife was treated by the medics who gave her an injection, her pelvis was hurting but they said it just bruising.
It is now all quiet, so amazingly quiet, no wind nothing. We are in shock but ok. The overcab is cracked and banana shaped in the middle, as is the rooflight, sat dome etc are all smashed. I have tried to call Caravan Club Insurance but can get no answer on their numbers.
The boys are asleep again. There was I joking with the boys about lightening strikes last night. God what a nightmare. Hope the van is ok. I reversed over some stuff to back away from the tree. Full inspection in daylight will reveal the full extent.
I hope we can sleep a bit.............. I am just in shock right now........