Wind blows over church cross, barely missing passerby in downtown Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A man on a bicycle says he barely dodged a falling cross in the downtown area.? The 500-pound cross had graced the First Baptist Church on South Avenue at Elm Street.

The cross broke free in high winds on Monday and crashed into the street.? The church had previously set up caution tape along the sidewalk area for fear the fixture might come down without warning.?

Bud Alston said he was riding by moments before the cross fell.

"I'm three feet past the sound and I look around and see caution tape and think, that wouldn't have made that noise, and out of my peripheral I see this cross lying on the road.? It's frightening, man. It's just like, that would have hit me,? said Alston.

Alston said a group of men helped him move the cross out of traffic.

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