The city employees were lucky because their van was crushed by a falling tree while they were inside.

Dog owner Robby Healey, 62, filmed the scene at Hatton Hill Park in Litherland, near Liverpool, as winds blew across Merseyside.

In the shocking video, one of the workers can be heard telling Robby that they “almost died” when a tree, blown down by strong winds, fell on the van and shattered the windshield.

The footage shows the front of the van demolished and a large fallen tree lying on the ground next to it, the Liverpool Echo reported.

In the clip, Robby can be heard telling them they were “so lucky” and to “play the lottery later.” He said: “As I was walking in the park, I heard a loud crack and then a loud crash.”

“(The workers) stood next to the van and were stunned. One of them said they would never get in a van again. They were traumatized.”

The men apparently suffered minor injuries. Images of the aftermath showed that the van and the tree were cordoned off.

Robby said his “heart was in my throat” when he spotted the van because he couldn’t see the men at first and thought they were still inside.

This came as the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning, which has been in effect since 1am today, Tuesday 9 April.

The UK Coastguard Service at Southport has warned people to stay away from the coast, as forecasters say the strong winds could create “dangerous” coastal conditions and lead to travel disruption.

The Met Office said coastal roads, seafront promenades and coastal communities would be affected by spray and large waves.

It said delays to road, rail, air, ferry and transport services were likely. Short-term power outages and disruptions to other services were also expected.

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