Man dies in Cornwall as tree falls on caravan in Storm Goretti

by Rachel Morgan News Editor

A man in his 50s died after a tree fell onto a caravan during Storm Goretti, according to police. Emergency services were called to the Mawgan area of Helston, Cornwall, at approximately 07:35 GMT on Thursday following the incident.

Storm Goretti’s Impact

Devon and Cornwall Police conducted inquiries at the scene on Friday, safely removing the tree. Police reported that the man was found deceased inside the caravan and that his next of kin have been informed and are receiving support.

Did You Know? The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for wind on Thursday between 16:00 and 23:00.

The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file is being prepared for the coroner. The storm, which brought gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, caused “major damage and disruption” across the county. Cornwall Council described the storm as “one of the most severe” in living memory.

Ongoing Recovery Efforts

Clean-up operations are continuing into the weekend. As of Friday, more than 34,000 premises in the south-west of England remained without electricity, and the National Grid reported staff were working to restore power.

Expert Insight: Red weather warnings, like the one issued for Storm Goretti, indicate a high level of risk to life from extreme weather. The focus on “exposed places” highlights the vulnerability of certain locations to high winds and falling debris, a critical consideration for emergency planning and public safety.

A yellow warning for ice, affecting parts of east Cornwall, was in effect from 12:00 GMT on Friday until midday.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time did emergency services respond to the incident?

Emergency services were called to the Mawgan area of Helston, Cornwall, at about 07:35 GMT on Thursday.

Was the death considered suspicious?

No, the death was not being treated as suspicious by police.

What was the wind speed during Storm Goretti?

The storm saw gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

As recovery efforts continue, will the focus shift to assessing infrastructure damage and preventing future incidents?

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