A man in his 80s has died after being recovered from a ford his car entered during Storm Bert, while a woman also in her 80s and recovered from the same vehicle is recovering in hospital
A man has died after his car entered a ford during Storm Bert.
The unnamed man, in his 80s, was recovered by emergency services from water on Cockhill Lane, Colne, where Noyna Ford is located, at 16.15 on Saturday. The man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A woman also in her 80s was recovered from the water and remains in hospital where her condition is described as not life threatening. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services sent two fire engines to the scene. Firefighters from Nelson and Penwortham who are specialist swift water rescue teams were involved along with a boat from Preston.
The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed onto the coroner, Lancashire Police has confirmed.
The Met Office has urged members of the public to keep an eye on weather warnings through the evening as the warnings could change. Storm Bert is “will continue to cause disruption” according to Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page, who said: “Impacts from Storm Bert will continue to cause disruption as we go through today, and multiple warnings are in place for wind and rain.
“While the risk of any snowfall has now diminished, rainfall will affect much of the UK today, in particular some southwestern parts of England and South Wales, but the heaviest rain will ease from these areas through the day.”
Weather warnings are expected to expire later tonight. The longest-lasting is the rain warning for southwest England, which is in place until 11.45pm tonight. But the warnings and weather is subject to change as expert Page urges the public to stay alert of high wind speeds and sudden changes.
He added: “The strong southerly winds continue today and warnings are in place for central, southern and eastern England, Northern Ireland and western Scotland where gusts could peak at 60 mph and could even reach more than 70 mph along some exposed coasts. Warnings could still be amended, possibly at short notice, so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.”
Councillors in Wales say the flooding from Storm Bert is expected to “be worse than Storm Dennis,” with a council spokesperson revealing the “severity of the weather” has led to 100 properties in Rhondda Cynon Taf being flooded. Over 1,400 homes were evacuated as a result of Storm Dennis in 2020, which was described as a “one-in-290-year event”.
Casualties as a result of Storm Bert were also recorded earlier today, with the body of dog walker Brian Perry, 75, found earlier today. Police had put out an appeal for the whereabouts of the 75-year-old, who was later found. While no formal identification of the body has occurred, Mr Perry’s family has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
