United Kingdom, Aug. 31 -- Vanessa Williams' daughter Jillian Hervey escaped unharmed after a tornado sent a tree crashing down on her car - and believes her grandfather "saved her".

The Lion Babe singer was just 17 when the terrifying freak incident unfolded in New York, shortly after the death of Vanessa's dad, music teacher Milton Augustine Williams Jr., from an acute pancreatic infection in January 2003 at the age of 67.

Speaking to Britain's HELLO! magazine, Jillian, 37, recalled: "It was a beautiful day and then the next thing, there was a tornado warning in our town, which never happens. It was very Wizard of Oz.

"I had just lost my grandfather. I really sensed him there. I felt as though he saved me."

The near-death experience...