Driver Survives Close Call As Tree Branch Pierces Car Windshield

EPPING, NH (CBS) - A New Hampshire woman escaped unharmed after a very close call when a tree branch pierced her windshield.

A tree came crashing down across Pleasant Street in Epping Wednesday afternoon, taking down wires.

"I was shocked that I was OK," the driver Michelle Snow said.

That shock has not worn off. Epping Firefighter Paul St. Cyr was one of the first to respond to a call of a tree on a car.

"I told her to buy a lottery ticket because she was pretty lucky," St. Cyr said.

Part of the branch came through the windshield inches away from the driver.

Snow was driving Wednesday evening on Route 27. The wind snapped a large pine sending it onto power lines and toward her car.

"I didn't hear a thing, didn't see a thing and I got under just in the nick of time," she said. "Honestly the only thing I thought was am I OK? And how am I not hurt."

When she looked over she was even more surprised to see a branch up close.

Michelle was on that stretch of road - ironically on her way to the auto shop. "I was going to have a new wheel put on my car because we thought we made it through the winter unscathed," she said.

Now she needs a new car, but, everyone involved counts her as lucky.

"Just luck on her part for just skating through it," St. Cyr said.

And, Michelle plans to act on the advice from the responding firefighters.

"I am going to buy that lottery ticket," she said.