Woman survives after tree crashes into her windshield while driving during storm

BROCKTON, Mass. — Tree branches sliced through an East Bridgewater woman’s windshield and she walked away with only a scratch.

The freak accident happened on Wednesday afternoon on Pearl Street in Brockton. Police there said the tree snapped and toppled onto the woman’s car.

Debbie Clish, the driver, said owes her survival to a voice from above.

“I just heard this voice say, Debbie duck!” said Clish.

Clish said she believes God told her to lean over and cover her head just moments before impact. She believes that’s why she survived and is now counting her blessings and calling this a miracle.

“I ducked, I went down, I had my hand like this, I still had my seat belt on, and I went down like this and I covered my face,” said Clish.

The windshield of her Volkswagen was completely shattered, a branch sliced through the middle. There was heavy damage to the front of the car and glass everywhere. But somehow, Clish walked away with only a scratch on her hand.

“I just stood in the middle of the road (saying) ‘Thank you God, thank you God’ Everyone probably thought I was swearing at the tree! But this was a true miracle,” said Clish.

Clish said she believes in God and prays often, and that the stunned look from first responders proved her faith.

“It really hit me how truly blessed I was when the fire department showed up and I could tell by their face. They’re just looking at me and I said I was the one who was in the car and they were just shocked,” said Clish.

Clish believed someone was watching over her that afternoon.

“I don’t want to think of what would have happened if I hadn’t listened to his voice,” said Clish.

She said she hopes her testimony will be guidance for so many who are searching for meaning during these uncertain times.

“I know there’s a God, especially today,” said Clish.

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