An excavator fell into a ditch as it knocked down a sacred Buddhist tree - with locals believing the driver was hit with instant karma.

The construction vehicle was clearing a plot of land including the decades old hardwood believed to have been a lucky tree in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 28.

But right after the driver demolished the tree, estimated to be at least a hundred years old by locals, the machinery fell into the hole with water.

Footage shows the excavator's arm uprooting the tree before the ground gave in.

Resident Thanthida Boonyoo said: ‘The monks already advised to do a ceremony for the tree before the construction. It had been there for a long time. I believe it is unlucky to remove it just like that.'

The driver clambered from the wreckage and was unhurt but shaken.