Journalist covering hurricane in Hawaii hit by tree during report

A BBC journalist in the middle of delivering a radio report on Hurricane Lane in Hawaii was struck and had his equipment damaged by a falling tree, though he reportedly escaped without injuries.

Audio released on the news outlet’s website captures BBC North America correspondent James Cook detailing the storm’s forecast over the next several days when the sound of a branch cracking can be heard.

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Cook and his equipment were then buried under a tree, according to the news service.

He can be heard telling bystanders that he will climb himself out of the debris.

“Well, that was unexpected,” Cook tells an onlooker. “I’m all right,” he adds.

The BBC reported that Cook’s laptop was destroyed in the accident, but that he and others in the area did not suffer any injuries.

Lane is expected to turn away from the Hawaiian Islands but the outer portions of the since-downgraded tropical storm are still expected to cause some damage.

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz (D) on Friday praised the Trump administration’s response to the approaching storm, calling it “aggressive.”

“Big mahalo to first responders across Hawai`i, from Maui County firefighters in west Maui to emergency crews in Hilo. They are working hard and taking real risks while leaving their own families at home,” Schatz wrote in a pair of tweets.

“The National Weather Service, FEMA, DOD, FCC, FDOT, Coast Guard, and other federal agencies have been sharp and aggressive in their mobilization,” he added, listing government agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Defense, Federal Communications Commission and Department of Transportation.

“We are only about halfway through this, and it’s already catastrophic, but the federal response has been more than solid.”

President Trump held a call with Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) on Friday to offer support for island residents as Hawaii battles intense rain from the storm.