Storm Henk claims first victim as one after tree crushes car

02 January 2024 , 20:58

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A tree blown over by the wind and landed on a car on Beckenham Grove, Bromley (Image: PA)

A person has died after a falling tree crushed a car during Storm Henk.

Emergency services were called to the A433 Tetbury Road, about eight miles north of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, following the fatal road traffic collision at around 3.15pm. Two cars were struck by a huge tree after it was uprooted by strong winds and fell into the road. One vehicle was completely crushed, whilst another – a white Kia – sustained minor damage.

The Midlands Air Ambulance helicopter and a Wiltshire Air Ambulance critical care car attended the incident alongside police and the fire service, it is understood.

An occupant of one of the cars was pronounced dead at the scene. Further details, including their gender and age, are unclear at this stage and a forensic collision investigation is ongoing.

Roads across the country, like this one in rural Warwickshire, are flooded (PA)

In a statement released earlier today, police said: “Road closures are in place after a tree fell on a car on the Tetbury Road near Kemble earlier today, Tuesday 2 January.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

“Emergency services were called at around 3.15pm with reports of a large fallen tree on the A433 Tetbury Road near the junction with the A429, between Tetbury and Cirencester. Motorists are advised that the road is expected to remain closed overnight and into tomorrow (Wednesday). No further information is available at this time."

The A433 is closed in both directions between Cirencester and Tetbury, at the A429 junction for Malmesbury and the junction for Kemble station.

Storm Henk has knocked down trees, one of which crushed a woman in Kent, and caused travel chaos on the road and railways today. Rivers have flooded and families, including those on a large caravan park, have been evacuated from their homes today. A woman was crushed by a falling tree in Orpington, Kent, at around 3pm, the emergency services said.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from caravans at the holiday park in Northamptonshire, the River Severn has flooded in Worcester and other waterways have become saturated after heavy rainfall. South Western Railway (SWR) is urging people not to travel on its services due to the severe weather. Thameslink has urged passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary. More than 100,000 power supplies have been reconnected during the course of the day.

Bradley Jolly