A MAN has escaped unhurt after a falling tree branch landed on his car as he was driving.

High winds and heavy rain, caused by the remnants of hurricane Gonzalo, have battered south Essex this morning and resulted in the large branch falling into Bradley Way, Rochford, at around 10.30am.

The man, who was driving towards Southend, stopped temporarily by the side of the road, but soon drove off as he, and his blue Toyota, escaped serious damage.

Insurance intermediary company, GRS Limited, overlook the road from their offices in Locks Hill and documented the event on Twitter.

Office manager Gemma Carracher said: "It hit the man's car, he stopped for a bit and looked pretty shaken up but then drove off.

"We initially thought it was a whole tree that had come down but fortunately it was just a limb.

"We called Rochford District Council and they were here within about 15 minutes so they were very quick.

"They arrived with chainsaws and cleared it away but there was traffic queuing up for about an hour."

Was it your car that was hit? Get in touch on 01702 321151.