Tributes are pouring in for a man described as a 'gentle giant' who tragically lost his life when a tree was blown onto his mobile home during the ferocious Storm Goretti.
A Fatal Incident in the Storm's Path
James Southey, a 50-year-old resident of farmland in Mawgan, West Cornwall, died on Thursday evening as storm-force winds, with gusts recorded at up to 100mph, battered the region. Emergency services worked throughout Friday to safely remove the fallen tree from his caravan, but Mr Southey was pronounced dead at the scene.
Community in Mourning for a 'Kind Family Man'
The devastating news was shared by his sister, Sam, on social media. She wrote of being 'absolutely devastated' and 'in shock', struggling to come to terms with the loss. 'Never in a million years do you expect that knock on the door to be for you,' she said. 'He was a gentle giant who would do anything for anyone. We will miss him dearly.'
Friends have echoed this sentiment, remembering James as a profoundly kind individual. Friend Caroline Blatter stated she was 'utterly gutted', describing him as 'such a gentle kind family man with a lot of love to share'. Others called him the 'kindest and sweetest soul' and a 'true gentle giant taken too soon'.
Widespread Damage and Power Outages
The fatal accident occurred as Cornwall endured the full force of the severe weather system. The storm's impact was widespread:
- Nearly 70,000 homes were left without power across the region.
- On a tidal island near Cornwall, close to 80 trees were reported down by Friday morning.
Police have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Southey's death. An inquest will be formally opened in due course.
