A CYCLIST was “one second from death” after almost being hit by a falling branch in the city.

The close call happened in the cycle lane at Grand Parade near Valley Gardens in Brighton on Saturday afternoon, June 18.

Jason Reeve, who witnessed the near-death incident, said he “heard the crack of the tree going” and watched the dramatic moment as the branch landed two feet behind the cyclist.

Brighton and Hove City Council has since cleared the branch from the cycle lane.

The Argus: The cyclist by the fallen branch along Grand Parade. Pictures by Jason ReeveThe cyclist by the fallen branch along Grand Parade. Pictures by Jason Reeve

Jason said: “I heard the crack and snap of the tree going, so did the cyclist.

“But he was going too fast to stop so rode it out as the tree fell above him.

“It landed about two feet behind him. He was one second from death as he cycled under the falling tree. It was insane.

“He was in shock but okay.”

Wind in Brighton was at around 15 miles per hour on Saturday which is classed as a moderate breeze on the Beaufort Wind Scale.

The Argus: The branch was cleared on Saturday eveningThe branch was cleared on Saturday evening

That level of wind “causes small branches to move, raises dust, leaves and paper.”

A spokesman for the council said: “We were made aware of the branch coming down in windy conditions and it was removed on Saturday evening.”

The Level is mostly made up of elm trees, some of which have been impacted by Dutch elm disease in the past.

The disease causes trees’ branches to wilt and die. It is unclear if the tree in question has Dutch elm disease.

This week, councillors are set to create an ash dieback action plan and draft tree planting plan to replace and extend tree cover across Brighton and Hove.

The Argus: Elm trees have been cut down in The Level in previous years. Picture from Friends of Queen's ParkElm trees have been cut down in The Level in previous years. Picture from Friends of Queen's Park

It comes after hundreds of ash trees were felled in Stanmer Park and Withdean Park after being left “fragile and dangerous” due to the disease.

The council cleared the cycle lane 12 hours before the start of the London to Brighton bike ride, the first in two years due to the pandemic.

Sussex was also hit by Storm Eunice in February which caused damage to a number of trees.