Man hit by tree as high winds cause chaos
[gallery] A man was hit by a tree in Walsall and Birmingham's German Market was forced to close this afternoon as severe winds hit the West Midlands.
West Midlands Fire Service's fire control team handled around 50 weather related calls in under two hours and had reports of at least 20 fallen trees.
In Walsall, the ambulance service was called to Woodend Road shortly after 1.15pm yesterday after a man in his 30s was hit by a tree.
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Chris Kowalik said: "Nearby residents came to his aid by lifting the tree. He had neck and back pain and was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital for further assessment."
A pedestrian was also seriously injured by falling window glass in Gas Street, Birmingham and ambulance crews were also sent to Sandon in Staffordshire after reports that a tree had fallen on to vehicles.
Mr Kowalik adde: "Crews arrived to find a person trapped in their car after a tree fall. The patient was released from the vehicle and treated for minor injuries."
The patient was taken to Stafford Hospital for further assessment and treatment.
Terrifying video shows plane struggling to land at Birmingham Airport
In Birmingham, the city centre's popular Frankfurt market and craft market was closed for around two hours from 2pm after one of the stalls was blown over.
Medics were called to near the new Library and treated two patients at 1.30pm. One woman believed to be in her 50s was assessed and later released by medics at the scene. A second female of the same age was treated at the scene for a hip injury.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: "We were in the process of closing the Christmas Markets in Centenary Square and Centenary Bridge when one of the stalls blew over."
The market re-opened at 4pm.
Tree falls were also reported across the Midlands, including Valley Road, Hednesford, Wolverhampton Road, Sedgley, across the Hagley Road near to the Fox Hunt Pub in Halesowen and in Codsall, Stafford Lane was blocked between the A41 Holyhead Road and Oaken Lanes.
A metal shed was blown into a tree and became stuck in in Clarence Street, Upper Gornal, while a chimney collapsed on to house roof in Wimperis Way, Pheasey.
In Chasetown, Edwards Road was closed as part of the police station roof was blown off and in Wednesfield, the covered walkway at Bentley Bridge between B&M and Cosmo was reported to be closed for safety reasons.
A plane struggles to land at Birmingham Airport this afternoon
Meanwhile, footage has emerged of a plane struggling to land at Birmingham Airport
One Emirates plane was captured on footage almost landing sideways in high winds before the pilot takes off again.
A flight operated by Brussels Airlines also struggled to land, and footage shows it being blown from side to side.
Justine Howl, communications manager at Birmingham Airport said the airport had remained fully operational but some aircraft had to do 'go-arounds' if they felt it was necessary on approach.
