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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
John Siddle & Alahna Kindred

First Storm Dudley death as man plunges 12ft from lorry in gale-force winds

Storm Dudley has claimed its first victim after a man has died after falling from a lorry.

The man, in his sixties, plunged around 12 feet after falling from the double-decker wagon.

It is believed he was attempting to unload heavy goods in high winds when he lost his balance.

Emergency services raced to the scene in Marston Green, near Solihull, West Mids., at 9pm on Wednesday night.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene despite the paramedics best efforts to save him.

West Midlands Police today described the tragedy as an “industrial accident”.

Follow all the latest updates on Storm Eunice and Storm Dudley in our live blog

It is believed the man was attempting to unload heavy goods in high winds when he lost his balance (SnapperSK)

A spokesman said: “A man in his 60s was attended to by paramedics at the scene, but was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

“The Health and Safety Executive was informed and it is believed to be an industrial accident.

“Our thoughts remain with the man’s family and friends.”

The HSE said it was “making enquiries alongside police”.

It is not known what company the man worked for.

West Midlands Ambulance Service sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a trauma doctor and a Hazardous Area Response Team paramedic to the scene in Starley Way.

A spokesman said: “On arrival, we discovered one male patient in a critical condition.

“Ambulance staff immediately began administering advanced life support but sadly, despite their best efforts, it became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene."

Commuters woke up up this morning to find trees blocking the roads after Storm Dudley unleashed its fury over the UK (PA)

Millions of Brits endured a fretful night as huge gusts of around 80mph battered parts of the UK, with amber warnings in place for central Scotland, Northern Ireland and in England.

Gusts of up to 40mph swept the Midlands as Storm Dudley blew across the country, leaving thousands without power in northern areas.

Commuters looking to get to work this morning woke to find roads blocked by felled trees as well as nightmares of train lines as workers try to remove the devastation.

A train heads along the west coast between Whitehaven and Carlisle after Storm Dudley (PA)

People on social media shared pictures of damaged homes, crushed cars and power cuts.

In the north of England, around 14,000 were left without power with thousands still waiting for the lights to be turned on.

The strong gusts forced the plane carrying Manchester City 's players and staff to divert to Liverpool after leaving Lisbon, with the aircraft forced to circle the airport a number of times before landing.

It comes as weather warnings are in place across the UK tomorrow as Storm Eunice moves in.

Winds of up to 100mph and heavy snow is forecast as the Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for the South West.

Yellow and amber weather warnings are in place for most of UK.

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