24 January 2024 , 08:25
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A man killed during Storm Isha in Scotland at the weekend has been praised as a "much loved and well respected family man" in a tribute from his heartbroken family.
James ‘Jimmy’ Johnstone, 84, died when the Hyundai he was a passenger in collided with a tree on the A905 in Grangemouth, Fife, in Scotland. The accident happened at around 11.45pm on Sunday. Mr Johnstone was sat in the front seat and, despite the best efforts of paramedics, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other people in the car were not injured in the accident.
The road was closed while investigations were carried out and reopened around 6am on Monday, 22 January. Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward as investigations into the tragedy continue. The crash came during Storm Isha's huge winds, which felled trees across the country over the last few days.
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Storm Isha caused havoc at the start of the week with huge 80mph winds (PA)In a statement issued through Police Scotland, his family said: "A much loved and well respected family man who left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege to have met him. Our hearts are broken as a family however take great comfort in knowing he has been reunited with his beloved wife Anne.”
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Road Policing Inspector Andrew Thomson said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Johnstone, and all those involved in the collision. We continue to offer them support as our enquiries progress.
“I’d be keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or was on the A905 around 11.45pm on Sunday. I’d also request anyone with dashcam footage of Beancross Road around that time, please review your footage and bring anything of significance to our attention.” Anyone with information is asked to call 101, and quote reference 4198 of 21 January.
After the tragedy, a man from Grangemouth said of the tragedy: "It is really sad, Grangemouth is a really small community, everyone knows everyone. When it happens so close to home it does have an impact on the community, people are gutted."
It has been reported at least four other people were killed in the UK and Ireland during Storm Isha. A man, who is yet to be named, died after falling down a manhole in Bradford when safety barriers were destroyed by 80mph winds. The victim is believed to have suffered a fatal head injury after plunging into the exposed hole.
Elsewhere, a man in his 60s was killed when the car he was travelling in collided with a fallen tree in Limavady, Co Londonderry, on Sunday night. In Ireland, much loved father Jimmy Rowe was killed in Claremorris, County Mayo, and a woman in her 20s also perished in a separate road accident.