falling tree
The tree fell onto Chris Johannsen's fireplace on April 12. Credit: Chris Johannsen/Storyful

Video Captures Two Men Barely Dodging a Falling Tree

“If we didn’t move, we’d be dead right now,” one of them says in the video.

Video from a security camera captured the moment two longtime friends narrowly dodged a falling tree during their time of leisure.

In the video released earlier this week, Chris Johannsen and his buddy Chad Day had just gotten a fire going in the outdoor fireplace to make smores with their kids in the backyard of Johannsen's Virginia home when all of a sudden, they heard a crackling noise.

Johannsen told local media that in person it almost sounded like "a bear running through the woods." Then, as the cracks got louder and louder and more rapid, they heard a huge crashing sound and both men jumped out of their seats to avoid being crushed by a giant tree.

As you watch the video, you can hear the shock in their voices as they shout expletives. "If we didn't move, we'd be dead right now," one of them says as a child begins to cry in the background. Then, from behind the tree, the child's father tries to offer comfort with his words.

Following the incident, Johannsen and Day said they sat together and drank bourbon for about three hours. During that time, they think they only said about three words to each other. Johannsen added that the fireplace and the patio furniture, but the tree is gone and it all sounds like it might be covered by insurance.