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Man killed by falling tree as Storm Boelo brings more severe weather to UK

Ella Kipling
News imageGetty Images A man walking near the coast. He is wearing dark clothes and a coat with a hood up, and is being drenched by a wave which has come up and over the black railings. Getty Images
Storm Boelo has hit Scotland and the north of England the hardest

A 60-year-old man has died after being hit by a falling tree in southern Scotland as Storm Boelo continues to bring severe weather to the UK.

Police Scotland said the man was pronounced dead at the scene following the incident near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway at about 10:30 on Sunday.

The harsh weather battering the UK has left more than 82,000 customers without power on Sunday, the Energy Networks Association said, while 344,900 have been reconnected since Storm Austen began on Friday.

Those still without electricity have faced delays as the dangerous conditions were "limiting network engineers' opportunities to safely start the work", the ENA added.

Wind gusts peaked on Sunday morning at 85mph in Machrihanish, in Argyll and Bute, and 84mph in both Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, and Capel Curig in north Wales.

An amber wind warning issued by the Met Office will remain in place until 21:00 on Sunday across Scotland and parts of northern England.

A yellow warning that also covers other areas of the north of England, including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as well as parts of the East and West Midlands and North Wales, is in place until 21:00 on Sunday.

The Met Office has urged people to "stay indoors as much as possible", adding: "If you do go out, try not to walk, or shelter, close to buildings and trees."

The strongest gusts have continued to spread eastwards across the UK on Sunday.

News imageUK map showing location of Amber wind warning area shaded in orange.
Amber wind warnings cover much of Scotland and the far north of England

Four flood warnings have been issued for parts of England and Wales on Sunday, while there are 17 flood warnings in place in Scotland.

High rainfall totals have been recorded in the Scottish Highlands, peaking in Cluanie Inn which received 130mm.

Scottish government ministers and officials gathered on Sunday afternoon to discuss the impact of Storm Boelo.

In a statement, the Scottish government said while conditions may ease later on Sunday, there is potential for adverse weather to return in the coming days.

Police in Scotland have warned against unnecessary road journeys and ferry services have been cancelled.

Some flights to and from Belfast, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dublin airports have been cancelled and train services across the UK have faced disruption.

Jason Kelly, the Met Office's chief forecaster, said: "People should prepare for the potential for disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies. Secure loose items outside, plan ahead if you are travelling and keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings for your area."

Events across the country planned for the weekend have been cancelled due to the weather.

In Merseyside, a River of Light event was called off for the second day in a row, and Knowsley Safari Park has announced that it was closed on Sunday due to "high winds".

Several markets across the North West have also been cancelled due to the weather, including Quayside Makers Market in Salford and Macclesfield Treacle Market in Cheshire.

In the East Midlands, Worksop Half Marathon was called off, and closures were announced at Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, Robin Hood's Wheelgate Park and Twinlakes Theme Park.