Man found dead after Storm Goretti as caravan crushed by tree in 99mph winds

Man dies in Storm Goretti weather chaos as caravan crushed by tree in 99mph wind

A man was found dead after a tree fell onto a caravan in Cornwall, as Storm Goretti brought 99mph winds to the South West on Thursday

A man has died after a caravan was crushed by a tree, as Storm Goretti battered Cornwall earlier this week.

The tragic incident occurred in the Mawgan area of Helston on Thursday evening, Devon and Cornwall Police said. It came as the storm brought winds of up to 99mph to the area.

Police said the man's death is not being treated as suspicious. He was aged in his 50s and his next of kin have been informed.

An extremely rare red warning for wind was issued by the Met Office on Thursday, covering parts of the South West. Amber and yellow alerts for snow, ice, wind and rain were in place across much of the UK.

The force said: "Emergency services were called to the Mawgan area of Helston at around 7.35pm on Thursday 8 January after a tree fell onto a caravan.

"Work took place at the scene on Friday 9 January to safely remove the tree and make further enquiries at the scene.

"Tragically, a man aged in his 50s was located deceased within the caravan. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

Yellow warnings for snow and ice and still in place across large swathes of the UK for today and tomorrow. The Met Office says conditions will now gradually improve from now, resulting in a period of respite for many on Saturday with some sunny spells at times. However, further ice and wintry showers, with some snow on high ground, are likely to affect northern areas and Wales.

Saturday’s period of calmer conditions will be relatively short-lived, as another front will arrive from the west on Sunday. This brings the risk of further snow which has the potential to be disruptive, the Met Office said.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Steve Willington said: “Following on from a Saturday which will be largely dry away from northeastern parts of Scotland and England, a front from the west on Sunday will bring snow for parts of Scotland and northern England with low temperatures continuing the ice risk.

“A further 2-5cm of snow is possible to accumulate at low levels within the warning area on Sunday, with 10-20cm possible over higher ground. With much of this falling in areas that have already seen severe snowfall, ongoing disruption is likely. Those in central and southern England and Wales will see this fall as rain, in what will be a wet Sunday for many.”