Storm Babet: Man who died after tree struck his van is named
A man who died after a tree struck his van during Storm Babet has been named by police. John Gillan, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene following the one-vehicle crash on the B9127 at Whigstreet, south of Forfar in Angus, at around 5.05pm on Thursday. 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: “We are devastated by the loss of John and the circumstances in which he died. “John was a loving husband to Gaynor, dad to Marc, father-in-law to Natasha, and grandad to Reygan and Finley. “He was also a loving son to John and Moira, brother to Wendy and a loving uncle, son-in-law and brother-in-law.
John will be deeply missed by us all.” Mr Gillan was from Arbroath.
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His family added: “Thank you to family and friends for supporting us through this indescribably difficult time. “We’d like to request that our privacy be respected whilst we grieve for John.”
Advertisement Seven people across the UK have died as a result of Storm Babet[3], 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.
Image: Wendy Taylor. Pic: Police Scotland
Ms Taylor, a director at Errol-based Taylors Snacks, previously known as Mackie’s, was described by her family as a “ray of sunshine” and a “beautiful, kind, funny and caring person”[4]. Two women died after a five-vehicle crash on the M4 on Friday morning, 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. A man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwater in the town of Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, on Friday. Maureen Gilbert, 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[5] on Saturday.
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Paul Gilbert’s 83-year-old mother Maureen died in her home in Chesterfield as Storm Babet flooded the area
Paul Gilbert said people on his mother’s street “did as much as they could” to prepare for the storm, which is estimated to have flooded more than 1,250 homes across England. “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.” On Monday afternoon, Police Scotland confirmed the body of a man had been recovered[6] by officers following reports a vehicle was seen getting into difficulty in floodwater near Marykirk, Aberdeenshire, on Friday. “Formal identification is still to take place, however next of kin have been informed,” the force said.
In Scotland, Angus was one of the worst hit areas.
Image: Brechin residents being evacuated during the storm
First Minister Humza Yousaf visited Brechin on Monday morning[7] 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, noting: “It’s going to be a long road to recovery.”
References
- ^ Scotland (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)
- ^ how he found her body floating in the water at the property (news.sky.com)
- ^ body of a man had been recovered (news.sky.com)
- ^ visited Brechin on Monday morning (news.sky.com)