A 60-year-old man has died after being struck by a falling tree near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway. The incident happened at 10.30am on Sunday, October 25, with police reporting no suspicious circumstances.
Storm Boelo brings widespread disruption
The tree fell as Storm Boelo continued to bring strong winds and heavy rain across the UK. An amber weather warning for wind is in place for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, including Dumfries and Galloway.
According to the Met Office, very strong westerly winds associated with Storm Boelo are expected to bring fairly widespread gusts of 60 to 70 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph in exposed coastal areas. The strongest winds initially affected western Scotland on Saturday evening, spreading eastwards overnight and through Sunday.
Warnings and advice
High winds are accompanied by periods of heavy rain and frequent showers. The Met Office has said winds will gradually ease from the southwest through today.
The Met Office advises people to stay indoors as much as possible, and if going out, to avoid walking or sheltering close to buildings and trees. In advance of high winds, people are advised to check for loose items outside their homes, such as bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences, and secure them.
Drivers are advised to drive slowly to minimise the impact of wind gusts, be aware of high-sided vehicles and caravans on exposed roads, be cautious when overtaking, and give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries, and buses more room than usual.
Disruption across Merseyside
Other parts of Scotland and England are under yellow weather warnings. In Merseyside, a yellow wind warning is in place until 9pm today, indicating that severe weather is possible and could cause minor disruptions to travel, outdoor activities, or daily routines.
Strong winds and rain have caused disruption across the region, including affecting Merseyrail services. Aintree Racecourse has confirmed today's meeting has been cancelled due to high winds. Liverpool Anglican Cathedral is also fully closed after a safety assessment was completed.
Fallen trees have blocked several roads, including Colebrook Road and Hassop Way in St Michaels and Poulsom Drive in Netherton. Fallen trees on rail lines have also blocked several Merseyrail lines and the railway between Liverpool and Manchester, with TransPennine Express strongly advising people not to travel between the two cities. Flights at Liverpool John Lennon Airport have also been cancelled.
