Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Storm Franklin hits Merseyside with fallen trees and hundreds evacuated from homes

Storm Franklin blew the roof off a block of flats and closed a number of roads as it hit Merseyside.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind and rain in Merseyside on Monday, February 21, just days after Storm Eunice caused chaos in Liverpool.

Storm Franklin caused travel issues with Merseyrail and Northern cancelling a number of services from Liverpool.

READ MORE: Notorious gang members will serve a total of 151 years behind bars

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service also reported responding to 34 storm-related calls between 5am and midday.

In Runcorn, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said 100 residents were evacuated after the roof of a block of flats was blown off.

Police said no-one is believed to have been injured in the incident, which happened on Brereton Close at around 9.54am.

A large pile of roof debris was heaped in the car park and a section of panels was still visible hanging off the edge of the top of the building.

The scene at Brereton Close flats in Castlefields, Runcorn, this morning. (runcornweeklynews)

A driver was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries after the lorry he was driving on the M6 crashed and burst into flames.

The HGV is reported to have been blown into a bridge on the M6, between J27 Crow Orchard Road (Standish) and J28 Leyland Way (Leyland), by high winds.

After hitting the bridge, the lorry caught fire, at around 5.30am, on Monday, February 21.

Police tweeted a dramatic image showing the aftermath of the fire, showing the lorry completely destroyed.

A spokesperson has confirmed that the driver, a man in his 40s, has been taken to hospital with serious head injuries.

Lorry caught fire after being blown into bridge on M6 (Lancashire Police)

A fire engine from Kirkby Community Fire Station which was responding to a storm incident crashed with a Ford van on County Road, at the junction with Hall Drive, in the direction of North Wood at 8.20am.

Firefighters reported no injuries involving the crew travelling in the engine.

The driver of the van was taken to hospital, though his injuries are not believed to be serious.

A number of roads were also closed due to fallen down trees in Wavertree and Wirral and power cuts hit Ormskirk and Lancashire.

In the city centre part of Old Hall Street and Union Street was closed due to panelling falling from a building.

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.