It was supposed to have been a relaxing family cycling holiday in Holland.

Instead, it nearly ended in tragedy when a 60ft tree toppled over in gale-force winds.

Branches pinned Peter Duffus and three-year-old daughter Emma underneath.

Speaking from his bed at Hull Royal Infirmary, Mr Duffus, of Thwaite Street, Cottingham – who suffered a broken leg – said the pair were lucky to have survived.

He said: "If the tree had fallen directly on us we would have been killed – we were both extremely lucky."

Solicitor Mr Duffus recalled his ordeal.

He said: "It was a very stormy, windy day and I remember there was this great big gust of wind and then a crack.

"The next thing I know, a branch fell on top of the bike and pinned me down to the floor."

The branches crushed the bicycle's frame, narrowly missing the child seat, where Emma had been perched.

Incredibly, the toddler escaped without a scratch.

Mr Duffus, 52, was not so fortunate, and broke his lower left leg just below the knee.

He spent several days in hospital in Amsterdam and was flown home on Saturday.

Mr Duffus and his daughter had been enjoying a week-long break in Holland with his wife Helen, also a solicitor, and their other children Alex, 12, and Charlotte, eight, prior.

The family had booked a boat and bike holiday, touring seven of Holland's historic towns with HF Holidays.

Mr Duffus praised the tour leader and emergency crews for their quick response.

He said: "Our tour leader called the emergency services and the fire brigade got us out.

"I was taken to hospital and was very well looked after, before being flown back here on Saturday."

A plate and eight screws have been fixed in Mr Duffus' leg.

He will spend three months on crutches while he waits for his leg to heal.

Despite this, he has already got back to work from his hospital bed.