Storm Eunice: Man killed as debris smashes through van windscreen at Switch Island

The passenger, in his 50s, died at the scene in Netherton but the driver of the vehicle was not injured.
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Four people have been killed as Storm Eunice brought damage, disruption and potentially record-breaking gusts of wind to the UK and Ireland.

A man in his 50s was killed at Switch Island, Netherton, after debris smashed through the windscreen of a van he was travelling in.

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Paramedics attended the scene at around 2.10pm on Friday but the passenger was pronounced dead. The male driver of the vehicle was not injured.

Sergeant Amy Murray of Merseyside Police said: “I would ask anyone who was in the area of Switch Island/Dunningsbridge Road, heading towards Aintree, from Maghull, at around 2pm who saw anything or captured anything significant on their dash cam to contact us as they may have information which is vital to our enquiries.”

Weather warnings in place over Merseyside. Image: Met OfficeWeather warnings in place over Merseyside. Image: Met Office
Weather warnings in place over Merseyside. Image: Met Office

Friday’s amber weather warning for wind in Merseyside, with gusts reaching up to 67mph, has now elapsed but a yellow weather warning for ice is now in place until Monday.

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.

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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.

A woman died after a tree fell on a car in Haringey, north London.A woman died after a tree fell on a car in Haringey, north London.
A woman died after a tree fell on a car in Haringey, north London.

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

It came as millions of people were urged to stay at home on Friday due to safety fears over the impact of Eunice, one of the worst storms to hit the UK in a generation, while transport woes meant many were unable to travel.

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.

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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.

People view the waves created by high winds and spring tides hitting the sea wall at New Brighton promenade on February 17, 2022 in Liverpool, EnglandPeople view the waves created by high winds and spring tides hitting the sea wall at New Brighton promenade on February 17, 2022 in Liverpool, England
People view the waves created by high winds and spring tides hitting the sea wall at New Brighton promenade on February 17, 2022 in Liverpool, England

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.

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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.