Pictured: Man who died in Storm Babet after his car was swept away in floodwater

• Peter Pelling, from Arbroath, died after his car was swept away in Storm Babet

By Oliver Price[1]

Published: 17:00, 24 October 2023 | Updated: 17:56, 24 October 2023

The man who died after his car was swept away in the floodwater during Storm Babet has been pictured.

The family of Peter Pelling, from Arbroath have paid tribute as they said they are 'absolutely devastated' over his tragic passing.

A search was launched at about 3am on Friday after police received a report of a man trapped in a vehicle in floodwater near Marykirk, Aberdeenshire.

A body and vehicle were recovered on Monday and police on Tuesday named the man as as Mr Pelling.

The storm has claimed at least seven lives across the UK, including three in Scotland.

Peter Pelling, from Arbroath who died after his car was swept away in water near Marykirk

Emergency service workers assisting residents in Brechin after it was hit by severe flooding

In this aerial view gardens remain flooded as high water levels begin to recede after Storm Babet flooded homes, business and roads yesterday in Retford

A flood-damaged home in River Street, Brechin

In a statement issued through police, Mr Pelling's 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.

'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.'

Police said there are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

The storm claimed three lives in Scotland including that of Wendy Taylor, 57, who died after being swept into the Water of Lee, Glen Esk, on Thursday.

John Gillan, 56, also died on Thursday after a tree hit his van as he was driving on the B9127 at Whigstreet near Forfar.

Roads are beginning to reopen after Storm Babet hit Scotland, as more than GBP32,000 was raised by wellwishers to help residents of flood-hit Brechin.

The A90, between Forfar and Brechin, Angus, has been reopened in both directions from Dundee to Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, under a contraflow, after engineers were able to examine two 'high-risk' structures hit by the storm.

Wild weather caused considerable erosion of the bridge at Finavon, carrying the A90 over the River South Esk, and a contraflow traffic management system was introduced to enable safe crossing until repairs are completed.

Aberlemno Primary School in Brechin has yet to reopen after Angus Council said the B9134 was 'no longer judged to be safe', and a skip was provided for people to dispose of items from flood-damaged homes.

A GoFundMe page set up by Brechin Flood Relief has so far raised GBP32,369 to help families who were not covered by insurance, and one person even offered an empty flat for people left homeless.

An anonymous donor gave GBP2,500.

The gym at Brechin Community Campus was 'half full' of items donated to help families in need.

The GofundMe page said: 'When we factor in the cost-of-living rises and the costs of insurance, we are faced with the tragic fact that many simply cannot afford insurance.

'Brechin is the most fabulous community and we know people want to help those in need who due to reasons not of their making, have had their lives devastated.'

On Saturday, 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert was found dead in her flooded home in Tapton Terrace, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Mrs Gilbert's neighbours said 5ft of water had engulfed the inside of their properties 'within minutes' of the River Rother bursting its banks.

Wendy Taylor, 57, died after being swept into the Water of Lee, Glen Esk, on Thursday.

Mrs Taylor, who was described as 'the beloved wife, best friend and soulmate in life to George, mother to James, Sally and Susanna and Granny to India and George', was said to be 'a ray of sunshine for everyone who was fortunate enough to know her' in a tribute issued through Police Scotland.

Cheryl Woods, 61, and her daughter Sarha Smith, 40, from Caerphilly, South Wales, died after a five-vehicle crash on the M4 on Friday which is believed to have been weather-related.

Four cars and an HGV were involved in the crash on the eastbound carriageway between junction 17 for Chippenham and junction 18 for Bath.

A 56-year-old driver, John Gillan, died when a tree fell on his van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday and a man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwater in the town of Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, on Friday.

Mr Gillan's family said he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and son.

References

1. ^ Oliver Price (www.dailymail.co.uk)