Man who died after tree struck his van during Storm Babet is named

UK

A man who died after a tree struck his van during Storm Babet has been named by police.

John Gillan, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene following the one-vehicle crash on the B9127 at Whigstreet, south of Forfar in Angus, at around 5.05pm on Thursday.

Police Scotland said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

In a statement released through the force, his family said: “We are devastated by the loss of John and the circumstances in which he died.

“John was a loving husband to Gaynor, dad to Marc, father-in-law to Natasha, and grandad to Reygan and Finley.

“He was also a loving son to John and Moira, brother to Wendy and a loving uncle, son-in-law and brother-in-law. John will be deeply missed by us all.”

Mr Gillan was from Arbroath.

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His family added: “Thank you to family and friends for supporting us through this indescribably difficult time.

“We’d like to request that our privacy be respected whilst we grieve for John.”

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Why Storm Babet brought so much rain

Six people across the UK have died as a result of Storm Babet, which brought immense rain and devastating flooding to parts of the country.

Wendy Taylor, 57, was swept away in the Water of Lee, Glen Esk, on Thursday.

Wendy Taylor. Pic: Police Scotland
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Wendy Taylor was swept away in the Water of Lee. Pic: Police Scotland

Ms Taylor, a director at Errol-based Taylors Snacks, previously known as Mackie’s, was described by her family as a “ray of sunshine” and a “beautiful, kind, funny and caring person”.

Two women died after a five-vehicle crash on the M4 on Friday morning, which is believed to have been weather-related.

Four cars and an HGV were involved in the collision on the eastbound carriageway between J17 for Chippenham and J18 for Bath.

A man in his 60s also died after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwater in the town of Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, on Friday.

Maureen Gilbert, 83, also died after her home in Chesterfield flooded.

Her son told Sky News how he found her body floating in the water at the property on Saturday.

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Paul Gilbert’s 83-year-old mother Maureen died in her home in Chesterfield as Storm Babet flooded the area

Paul Gilbert said people on his mother’s street “did as much as they could” to prepare for the storm, which is estimated to have flooded more than 1,250 homes across England.

“I thought if the flood defence worked, she was safe,” he added.

“For me to have to come and find her myself was upsetting.

“I can’t put it into words what it means at the moment.”

In Scotland, Angus was one of the worst hit areas.

Members of the emergency services help local residents to safety in Brechin, Scotland, as Storm Babet batters the country. Flood warnings are in place in Scotland, as well as parts of northern England and the Midlands. Thousands were left without power and facing flooding from "unprecedented" amounts of rain in east Scotland, while Babet is set to spread into northern and eastern England on Friday. Picture date: Friday October 20, 2023.
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Brechin residents being evacuated during the storm

First Minister Humza Yousaf visited Brechin on Monday morning to meet those affected by the severe flooding after the River South Esk burst its banks during the heavy rainfall.

Mr Yousaf pledged to support the town, noting: “It’s going to be a long road to recovery.”

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