Man, 60, Killed by Falling Tree as Storm Boelo Hits Scotland With 84 mph Gusts
A 60-year-old man died after a tree fell on him on a minor road near Castle Douglas on Sunday morning, as Storm Boelo brought gusts of up to 84 mph, flooding and rail disruption across Scotland.
A 60-year-old man died on Sunday morning after a falling tree struck him on a minor road in Dumfries and Galloway, police said, as Storm Boelo moved across Scotland with gusts of up to 84 mph.
Police Scotland said the man was not in a vehicle when he was hit at Mid Kelton, near Castle Douglas, at about 10:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
Power cuts and travel disruption
The storm cut power to large numbers of homes. Power cuts hit 838,700 properties in the UK during storms Boelo and Austen, according to the Energy Networks Association, and 161,400 were still without power at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
In Ross and Cromarty, 121 mm of rain fell in 24 hours, more than a third of the area’s average October total of 330 mm.
Rail services were disrupted across Scotland. Network Rail Scotland posted photos of flooding at Dalmarnock station, a flooded culvert at Craigendoran, fallen trees at Partick and damage to overhead wires at Bishopton. Speed restrictions were in place and several sections of railway were closed.
Some flights were diverted from Leeds Bradford Airport and others were cancelled. Floodwater ran through the town of Largs in North Ayrshire, and a restaurant there closed after its kitchen was flooded.
Warnings stay in place into the evening
An amber wind warning from the Met Office stayed in place until 9 p.m., covering Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England. The Met Office warned of a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves.
First Minister John Swinney met senior politicians, emergency agencies and forecasters to discuss the response. Scottish Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said travel disruption was likely to continue into Monday and urged people to check official sources before setting out.
Forecasters said another low pressure system will bring more wet and windy weather early next week, though it does not look as strong as Austen and Boelo and there are no current plans to name it.
Reporting based on coverage by The Gazette.
