ALI's VICTIMS
Man killed by falling tree hours after 90mph Storm Ali blew caravan off cliff killing tourist asleep inside
A MAN has been killed by a falling tree just hours after a woman died when a caravan was blown off a cliff while she slept inside as Storm Ali wreaks havoc on the UK.
The engineer, aged in his 20s, was working in Slieve Gullion Forest Park in Newry, Northern Ireland, when the horror unfolded today.
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He is understood to have worked for NI Water, with the Health and Safety Executive aware of the incident, reports.
It comes after the body of the woman, aged in her 50s, was recovered on a beach after her caravan was caught in 90mph gusts on Ireland's west coast.
She has been named locally as Elvira Ferraii, a Swiss holidaymaker staying at the Clifden ecoBeach Camping and Caravan Park.
Locals say she had been asleep at the time during her several week stay, when the caravan blew from the camping park on to the beach in Claddaghduff near Cliffden in Co Galway.
It is understood that the tourist had only arrived in Connemara the previous day when she rented a bike.
A garda spokeswoman said: “Gardaí at Clifden Co Galway are investigating an incident which occurred at Claddaghduff, Co Galway this morning.
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Video compilation of Storm Ali beginning to cause havoc across the UK and Ireland
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"At approximately 7.45am a report was received that a caravan had blown off the cliff at the above location.
"A search was carried out on the beach and after a short time the body of a female in her 50s was recovered.
"Her body is expected to be removed to UCG for a post mortem examination. The local coroner has been notified."
President Michael D Higgins has offered his condolences to the family of the woman.
He said: "Today's strong winds can result in dangerous situations and I would urge everyone to heed the warnings by the authorities and take caution when travelling or when out in the open.
Portaloo blown onto Luas tram line in Dublin as Storm Ali pummels Ireland with 130kph winds
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"I was deeply saddened to learn that Storm Ali has already claimed one victim today in Claddaghduff, Co Galway. As President of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to her family.
"I would also take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those, in statutory and voluntary organisations around the country, who are helping and stand ready to assist their fellow citizens, and whole are working to maintain essential services around the country."
This afternoon a woman in Cheshire was seriously injured when a tree fell onto her car in the high winds - fire crews eventually freed the woman before she was taken to hospital by air ambulance.
It comes after the Met Office released a danger to life warning as Storm Ali is today expected to sweep across the UK.
Debris could be sent flying and power could be cut as the storm's strong gusts surge across the UK and Ireland.
Determined Dublin leaf blower carries on the day job... despite 90mph Storm Ali gusts sweeping UK
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An amber warning is now covering Northern Ireland, northern parts of England and southern Scotland, prompting the Met Office to issue the danger to life warning.
In Northern Ireland, 32,000 people have been left without power today.
And forecasters have warned commuters could face travel chaos as branches are pulled from trees and tiles ripped from roofs in the strong winds.
Meteorologist Simon Partridge said winds had already reached 87mph in Mace Head, Ireland, adding: "The strong winds have only started to arrive."
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He added: "We are mostly concerned for the central belt of Scotland where the winds will become increasingly westerly and winds are expected to funnel through low lying valleys.
"There could be significant disruptions through that area due to the large number of bridges.
"The winds will hit at the end of the afternoon, the main commuting time, so restrictions will be put in place."
The winds are expected to last until about 6pm tonight.
A yellow weather warning covering the rest of Scotland, Yorkshire and northern parts of Wales warns of gusts of up to 60mph.
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There is also potential for damage to buildings, fallen trees, travel cancellations, road closures and large waves in coastal areas, the forecaster added.
But even areas outside of the weather warnings are unlikely to escape the wet and windy conditions.
News of Ali comes after Storm Helene's strong gusts knocked out power for communities, with 193 homes in Cornwall forced to call in engineers early yesterday morning.
Storm Ali arrives across the UK, bringing damaging winds and travel disruption to the north, with gusts in excess of 80 mph possible
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