KILLER STORM
Lorry driver killed after being blown off HGV with ARMY on standby as ‘danger to life’ red Storm Eunice to smash UK
A LORRY driver was killed after being blown off an HGV in horrific gales last night as the UK braces itself for 100mph Storm Eunice tomorrow.
Boris Johnson announced the Army is on standby in wake of the Met Office issuing a red "danger to life" warning.
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It comes as an emergency Cobra meeting was summoned today to hammer out a plan of action as the ferocious storms batter Britain.
Ministers fear the worst is yet to come when Storm Eunice thunders in tomorrow and brings even stronger winds.
Those in the West Country and Wales have been warned not to leave their homes on Friday as forecasters said "dangerous conditions" are in store.
Schools in Cardiff, Swansea, most of the south Wales valleys have closed and will move to remote learning tomorrow amid the danger to life gales.
And Bristol City Council was advising schools to close in the city because of the torrent.
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Transport links have ground to a halt, with all trains in Wales cancelled, amid concerns of flying debris and fallen trees.
Motorists have been urged not to drive during Storm Eunice unless it is absolutely necessary following the alert for snow, heavy rain and winds.
The rare red alert warning issued by the Met Office has sparked concern across the country, as Brits were warned to expect damage to buildings and homes.
The Prime Minister today said the Government was "offering all the support that we can" to those already affected by the extreme weather.
He revealed the Army is on standby to offer assistance, while emergency teams gear up for a hectic weekend.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary have declared a major incident ahead of Storm Eunice's dreaded arrival.
MAN DIES IN STORM DUDLEY
But the force assured locals emergency services had "well-rehearsed plans ready to put in place" to deal with the "severe disruption".
Storm Dudley last night left homes and cars wrecked with 100mph gales - with Brits waking up this morning to debris in their gardens.
A man tragically died during the extreme weather front after being blown off a HGV in the horrific gales.
The man, in his sixties, plummeted from the double-decker wagon in Marston Green near Solihull, West Mids, at around 9pm last night.
He is believed to have lost his balance while trying to unload heavy goods as lethal 100mph winds swept the UK.
It is thought the unnamed victim fell around 12 feet from the lorry.
As Britain braces for Storm Eunice...
- Motorists warned to NOT travel by RAC unless absolutely necessary
- All trains in Wales cancelled for Friday
- Schools in majority of Welsh areas closed as pupils told to stay at home
- Bristol City Council was advising schools to close in the city because of the torrent
- A man died falling of a HGV lorry last night during Storm Dudley
- Storm Eunice set to be the worst storm UK has seen in years
- Brits bracing for 100mph winds and 8inches snow in the north
- Network Rail said disruption tomorrow is 'inevitable'
- Met Office upgraded storm to red warning - bringing 'danger to life'
- Legoland and London Eye closed on Friday because of severe weather
- Airports warning travellers to allow extra time for their flights tomorrow - with possible delays and disruptions due to the storm
Emergency services rushed to the scene while medics desperately tried to revive him, but he was sadly pronounced dead.
Police today described the tragedy as an "industrial accident", which saw two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a trauma doctor and a Hazardous Area Response Team paramedic deployed.
It is understood that the ferocious gales are likely to be considered as an important factor in the investigation.
The Health and Safety Executive added that it would also be ";making enquiries alongside police".
DANGER TO LIFE
Thousands of Brits in the north were left without power as Storm Dudley let rip, while the Midlands were battered by 40mph gusts.
And the extreme weather will continue throughout the week, as Storm Eunice is set to cause further chaos.
Forecasters predict gales this weekend could be even stronger than on Burns Night in 1990, when speeds reached 107mph.
The Met Office has now issued the highest level of alert for Storm Eunice, warning that there could be a "danger to life" as a result of extremely strong winds.
The red weather warning covers the coastline of Devon and Cornwall as well as the south coast of Wales and will come into effect from 7am on Friday.
It warns of "flying debris resulting in danger to life" and "damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down."
Storm Eunice is also expected to cause significant damage to infrastructure and threats to coastal properties.
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The Environment Agency had two flood warnings in place as of Thursday morning in northern areas of England.
Yellow and amber weather warnings remain in place for most of UK.
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