Peter Pelling: Man who died after car was swept away during Storm Babet named

25/10/2023

A man who died after his car was swept away during the Storm Babet floods has been named by police. The body of Peter Pelling, 61, was recovered by officers on Monday after his vehicle reportedly got trapped in floodwater near Marykirk in Aberdeenshire during the early hours of Friday. Police Scotland [1] said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

In a statement released through the force, his family said: “Peter was a very kind, loyal and hardworking man. “He was a much-loved son, brother, uncle, partner and friend. Our family are absolutely devastated by this horrific and tragic accident.”

Emergency services launched a search for Mr Pelling, from Arbroath, after the alarm was raised at around 3am on Friday. His body and vehicle were recovered on Monday. His family added: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the first responders and all of the emergency services teams involved in what was a particularly challenging rescue, due to the weather and environmental factors surrounding the incident.

“Their continued efforts over the past few days have been so greatly appreciated. “We would like to ask for privacy while we come to terms with this incredible loss.” Seven people across the UK are believed to have died as a result of Storm Babet [4], which brought immense rain and devastating flooding to parts of the country.

Wendy Taylor, 57, was swept away in the Water of Lee, Glen Esk, on Thursday. Ms Taylor was described by her family as a “ray of sunshine” and a “beautiful, kind, funny and caring person”[5]. John Gillan, 56, from Arbroath, also died on Thursday after a tree struck his van [6] on the B9127 at Whigstreet, south of Forfar in Angus.

Mr Gillan’s family said they were “devastated” over his death, adding: “John will be deeply missed by us all.” Story continues Mother and daughter Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, of Caerphilly, South Wales [7], died in a five-vehicle crash on the M4 on Friday morning [8], which is believed to have been weather-related.

Four cars and an HGV were involved in the collision on the eastbound carriageway between J17 for Chippenham and J18 for Bath. In a statement released through Wiltshire [9] Police, Ms Woods was said to be “cherished” by all those in her life. She was described as a “loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend”.

Paying tribute to Ms Smith, her family added: “Her legacy lives on through her six daughters, who will forever hold her memory close and strive to honour her with their efforts.” A man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwater in the town of Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, on Friday. Maureen Gilbert [10], 83, also died after her home in Chesterfield flooded.

Her son told Sky News how he found her body floating in the water at the property on Saturday. Paul Gilbert said people on his mother’s street “did as much as they could” to prepare for the storm. “I thought if the flood defence worked, she was safe,” he added.

“For me to have to come and find her myself was upsetting. “I can’t put it into words what it means at the moment.” Hundreds of people have been forced to flee their homes in Scotland and northeast England due to flooding caused by the storm.

In the south and southeast of England, an overnight weather warning will remain in place until 10am on Wednesday, with the Met Office saying flooding and disruption is “likely”. A total of 13 areas broke their daily rainfall records for October last week, including sites in Suffolk, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Kincardineshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Northumberland, Derbyshire and Humberside, the Met Office said. In Scotland, Angus was one of the worst-hit areas.

First Minister Humza Yousaf [11] visited Brechin on Monday morning to meet those affected by the severe flooding after the River South Esk burst its banks during the heavy rainfall.

Mr Yousaf pledged to support the town [12], noting: “It’s going to be a long road to recovery.”

References

^ Scotland (news.sky.com)
^ New weather warnings across UK (news.sky.com)
^ Why Storm Babet brought so much rain (news.sky.com)
^ Storm Babet (news.sky.com)
^ described by her family as a “ray of sunshine” and a “beautiful, kind, funny and caring person” (news.sky.com)
^ tree struck his van (news.sky.com)
^ Wales (news.sky.com)
^ died in a five-vehicle crash on the M4 on Friday morning (news.sky.com)
^ Wiltshire (news.sky.com)
^ Maureen Gilbert (news.sky.com)
^ Humza Yousaf (news.sky.com)
^ pledged to support the town (news.sky.com)