Storm Henk: 94mph winds claim second victim as woman, 87, killed in fallen tree crash
Storm Henk[1] has claimed another victim after a woman has died in a collision with a fallen tree. An 87-year-old woman in a red Smart Forfour hit a fallen tree on a B road in Crays Pond, South Oxfordshire, on Tuesday at 5.25pm – while 94mph winds and devastating floods swept the country. Thames Valley Police[2] say she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene as they appeal for witnesses to the fatal accident. Cops have also referred themselves to the police watchdog after they received a call about the fallen treet about an hour and a half before the woman died.
Senior investigating officer Sergeant Dominic Mahon, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Sadly, a woman has died following this collision and our thoughts are with her loved ones.
Nottingham flooding: Major incident declared as firefighters evacuate caravan park[3]
Storm Henk brought down a tree on this expensive Lexus car at Stamford-le-Hope in Essex (ROB WELHAM / McLELLAN)
“We would like to appeal for anyone that witnessed the collision, or saw the car prior to it, to contact us. We would also ask any drivers with a dash-camera who were in the area at the time to check their recordings and let us know if it has captured anything that could help our investigation. Get in touch by calling 101 or via our website, quoting reference number 43240002053.”
The woman’s death came hours after a man in his 50s was killed a separate crash during Storm Henk[4]. In Wiltshire on Tuesday, emergency services were called to the A433 Tetbury Road, about eight miles north of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, following the fatal road traffic collision at around 3.15pm. Two cars were struck by a huge tree after it was uprooted by strong winds and fell into the road.
One vehicle was completely crushed, whilst another – a white Kia – sustained minor damage. An occupant of one of the cars was pronounced dead at the scene.
An aerial view shows Tewkesbury Abbey surrounded by floodwater (AFP via Getty Images)
A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson said of the man’s death: “Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended the location which is between Tetbury and Cirencester. Despite the efforts of those at the scene a man aged in his 50s and from the Bath area died.
His next of kin and the coroner have been informed.” The named storm led to the Met Office[5] issuing a rare ‘danger to life’ amber alert for large parts of the UK. Images from the aftermath of the storm showed entire streets flooded and trees blocking major roads.
In Hall Green, Birmingham, a passerby was praised as a hero as he dived into flood waters and smashed the window of a car being washed away, saving the life of its driver and a three-year-old. Hundreds of homes are also under water in Loughborough, Leicestershire are flooded thanks to the Grand Union Canal. One of the two severe flood warnings, bringing danger to life, was in place for the River Nene, in Northampton, at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park and nearby business parks.
Holidaymakers and residents of a caravan park in Northampton were evacuated yesterday as Storm Henk raged and today, the mobile homes are surrounded by water.
The other severe warning, which asks Brits to “act now” is along the River Ritec.
Maybelline’s best-selling mascara launches in three new shades ahead of 2024 trend[6]
References
- ^ Storm Henk (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Thames Valley Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Nottingham flooding: Major incident declared as firefighters evacuate caravan park (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ man in his 50s was killed a separate crash during Storm Henk (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Maybelline’s best-selling mascara launches in three new shades ahead of 2024 trend (www.mirror.co.uk)