A LARGE oak tree that fell onto rail tracks at Pokesdown is still being dealt with after dozens of firefighters attended the scene.

10 fire crews were at the scene and closed Southbourne Road for a period while recovery efforts were underway.

One witness told the Daily Echo at the scene: “At about 8.30am I was sat with my daughter at home and we were seeing these trees shaking. A couple branches had already come into the garden. I said to her ‘I really hope that big one doesn’t come down too’ and as soon as I said that, it came down.

“The big oak tree that came down was next door to us. The line has been closed because of this and other trees but if that line was left open any longer and a driver came down not knowing that was on the track, there would have been a very bad accident. Incredible.”

No injuries have been reported.

Firefighters left the scene shortly before 11am, leaving representatives from Network Rail to clean up remaining debris.

At the scene, a train began coming in the direction opposite to the fallen tree. Upon seeing a rail worker on the track gesturing to stop, the train halted as the gap was too narrow to pass.

A similar incident reportedly happened while fire crews were still attendance, in which another train was stopped while under the bridge in Southbourne Road.

South Western Railway are advising people to avoid travelling on the line between Bournemouth and Weymouth today.

A spokesperson said: “As a result of the poor weather conditions there has been a number of trees and other objects falling onto the lines across our network. Teams are working to remove these as quickly as possible but some have required specialist equipment which has prolonged removal.

“We advise that you currently avoid travel between Bournemouth and Weymouth until later this afternoon as this area has been particularly affected and we have been unable to source replacement buses. If you choose to postpone your travel plans on this route your tickets will be accepted tomorrow.”