'Ray of sunshine' mum dies after being swept away in river amid Storm Babet

A grandmother who was swept away in a river during Storm Babet has been named by police.

Wendy Taylor, 57, was described as "the beloved wife, best friend and soulmate... mother and granny". She was swept into the Water of Lee, in Glenesk, north of Brechin, Angus, at around 1.45pm on Thursday. Emergency services raced to the scene but Wendy's body was recovered by officers around two hours later.

Speaking via Police Scotland today, Wendy's family said: "We are absolutely heartbroken to lose Wendy in such tragic circumstances and are still struggling to come to terms with it. Wendy was a beautiful, kind, funny and caring person. She was a ray of sunshine for everyone who was fortunate enough to know her."

Flooded fields are pictured after destruction caused by Storm Babet (PA)

The family added: "Wendy was the beloved wife, best friend and soulmate in life to George, mother to James, Sally and Susanna and Granny to India and George. Our family would like to thank Police Scotland for their professionalism and sensitivity in recent days. And in particular Paul Morgan of Police Mountain Rescue for recovering Wendy. Thank you to all of our extended family and friends for supporting us through this indescribably difficult time."

Wendy was a director of the Taylor Snacks group, formally Mackie's Crisps, and was married to owner George. The Taylor family are well known in the Perthshire area and have farmed in the Errol area for around 100 years, Daily Record says. In 2022, the brand name changed following the Taylors’ buy-out of its partner, the Mackie family from Aberdeenshire. It's understood Wendy was enjoying a luxury holiday at Invermark Estate when she was swept away during the storm.

Urgent police search to find missing girl, 11, as 'foul play' can't be ruled out

The Water of Lee runs into Loch Lee, at the north of the glen. The incident came amid a red weather warning in the area as Storm Babet battered the north-east of the country with several homes in the Brechin area being evacuated.

On Friday, a man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwater in the town of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire. A woman in her 80s was found dead at a home in Chesterfield on Saturday with her death believed to be related to flooding in the area.