Aintree man killed during Storm Eunice was ‘devoted dad’ and popular member of community

The man who was killed at Switch Island when the van he was travelling in was hit by flying debris during Storm Eunice was a “beloved husband and a devoted dad”.

Stephen Matthews, 68, from Aintree, was a passenger in the vehicle when the windscreen was struck and smashed at around 2.10pm on Friday in Netherton.

Paramedics attended but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.

Mr Matthews’ family issued the following tribute: “Stephen was a popular and well-known member of the Aintree community who was tragically taken from us too soon.

“The beloved husband of Sylvia and devoted Dad to Jonathan and Robert, he will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends.”

Storm Eunice brings tragedy

Elsewhere in the country, a woman in her 30s died after a tree fell on a car in Haringey, north London, on Friday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police said. It was the first confirmed death in England related to Eunice.

There was also tragedy in Alton, Hampshire after a man in his 20s was killed after a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter pick-up collided with a tree just before midday.

Earlier, a man in Co Wexford, Ireland, was also killed by a falling tree.

Storm chaos in Merseyside

Storm Eunice forced road closures, ferry cancellations and disruption to rail and other transport links and services as high winds hit Merseyside.

At Lime Street, London Road to St George’s Place was closed because barriers from ongoing redevelopment works blew into the road.

National Rail advised passengers not to travel from Lime Street Station as the storm caused significant disruption to services.

Meanwhile, Mersey Ferries suspended service on Friday, until further notice, due to the strong winds.

Merseyrail advised passenger not to travel during Storm Eunice and warned that some of the first timetabled trains on Saturday, 19 February, would be cancelled to allow checks on the lines.

Meanwhile, high tides and high winds saw huge waves batter coastal areas in the region, particularly in Wirral and Sefton.

Councils across Merseyside closed roads and parks and half-term events were cancelled due to fears for people travelling to and from the venues.