Storm Darragh: Second person dies as trees crash into vehicles as winds speeds top 90mph

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Thousands of people across Northern Ireland, England and Wales were left without power as they braced for the storm's impact, ITV News' Rhys Williams reports

A second person has died in Storm Darragh after a tree fell onto his car.

West Midlands Police said the latest victim was killed when a tree fell and hit his car on Silver Birch Road, Erdington, on Saturday afternoon.

A man in his 40s had already died earlier in the day after a tree fell onto his van while he was driving on a dual carriageway, Lancashire Police said.

The incident happened on the A59 at Longton near to Lancashire Police Headquarters at 9am on Saturday.

The man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Storm Darragh has left thousands without power as the government urged people to stay indoors in a rare "risk to life" warning.

The alert came into effect at 1am on Saturday for people covered by the Met Office's for wind in parts of Wales and south west England.

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It was the largest use of the warning system yet, with the alert urging residents to avoid driving and to "stay indoors if you can".

Thousands of people across Northern Ireland, England and Wales were left without power as they braced for the storm's impact.

National Grid said on Saturday morning that more than 55,000 customers have no power supply across the South West, South Wales and the West Midlands.

It said the majority of these were in South Wales. A major incident has been declared in part of Wales amid the disruption.

Bath fans wearing rain covers in the stands during the Investec Champions Cup match at the The Recreation Ground, Bath. Credit: PA

Around 22,000 people in Northern Ireland were still without power late on Saturday evening, with NIE Networks saying it could take days for it to be restored to all customers.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, almost 400,000 customers have been left without power.

ESB Networks said as of 7am, approximately 395,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country were without power as a result of the storm.

A spokesperson said their crews and partner contractors began mobilising from early on Saturday morning to assess the damage, make the network safe and restore electricity supply where it was safe to do so.

Meanwhile, National Highways said both the Prince of Wales Bridge, M4 and the Severn Bridge, M48, which connect South West England to Wales were closed due to strong winds.

Network Rail Wales said all train services west of Cardiff were suspended until further notice due to falling trees blocking the line.

National Highways advised the QEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing in England's south east had also been closed due to strong winds.

A person struggles with their umbrella as the wind picks up in Dublin's city centre. Credit: PA

In the West Midlands, the A5 was closed between the B5070 at Gledrid and A483 at Halton due to strong winds.

The Met Office issued the red weather warning - the most serious type - on Friday for wind, meaning dangerous weather is expected and people are urged to take action to keep themselves and others safe.

The warning, which has led to the cancellation of events including Christmas attractions, is in place from 3am to 11am on Saturday.

The Met Office warned of "damaging winds" with gusts of 90mph possible over the coasts and hills of West and South Wales.

Forecasters say the strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning.

The Cabinet Office's Emergency Alert system sent a message to every compatible mobile phone in the impacted areas, containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe into Saturday.

Mobile phones made a loud siren-like sound even if they were set on silent, with the sound and vibration lasting for about 10 seconds.

But some people have claimed they did not receive the alert.

A separate amber warning covering a larger stretch of the west coast of the UK, stretching from southern Scotland to Cornwall, and Northern Ireland is in place from 1am until 9pm.

Forecasters said the strongest winds would begin to ease from late morning Credit: Brian Lawless/PA

Flying debris and falling trees could pose a risk to life while large waves and beach material could be thrown on to coastal roads and seafronts.

There could also be damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down, as well as power cuts affecting other services such as mobile phone coverage.

Dublin airport confirmed it had welcomed a number of flights bound for other airports and were diverted due to the fourth named storm of the season.

Air traffic control (ATC) provider Nats has said temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at Heathrow and Gatwick.

A spokesman said: "Due to Storm Darragh today temporary air traffic restrictions are in place.

Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety.

"We are monitoring closely and our Met Office expert embedded within our operation is ensuring we have the latest available information.

"Our teams are working closely with airports and airlines to minimise disruption.

"Passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline."

Darragh is also expected to bring heavy rain over the weekend, with more than 120 flood alerts in place on Saturday morning.

An amber warning for rain is in place in Wales from 3am to 6pm on Saturday with heavy rain likely to lead to disruption to transport and infrastructure.

A yellow warning for rain was in place for Northern Ireland and Wales, both of which were badly affected by flooding during Storm Bert, as well as parts of Scotland from 3pm on Friday until noon on Saturday.

The Met Office said periods of heavy rain in south and mid-Wales through Saturday are likely to see 20-30mm fall in three to six hours, with totals of 80-90mm possible by the time it begins to ease in the evening.

National Rail said the storm was likely to affect services across the whole network, advising people to check their journey in full before travelling as it may mean last services of the day are cancelled and passengers may not reach their destination.

Chiltern Railways advised customers to only travel if absolutely necessary on Saturday with significant disruption expected across the network.

A reduced timetable will be in operation with one train per hour on all routes.

Chiltern said customers with tickets on Saturday can use them on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday instead.

The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool has been postponed due to Storm Darragh.

High winds and rain have battered the west coast and the decision to call off the lunchtime kick-off was made early on Saturday morning.

Everton posted on X: "Today's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions."

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