KILLER STORM
Storm Erik claims SECOND victim as falling tree kills driver in Wales hours after man, 50, dies in Devon
Another driver has been killed by a falling tree in the west of the UK
A SECOND driver has been killed by a falling tree as Storm Erik tears through the west of the UK.
Two men have died within hours of each other in Devon and Wales, both as a result of a tree falling onto their vehicle - as forecasters warn the chaotic weather brought by Storm Erik is set to worsen.
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A Devon man died after 70mph gale winds blew a huge tree onto his car as he drove this morning.
Witnesses rushed to lift heavy boughs and branches off two crushed cars in Buckfastleigh, Devon, this morning.
But despite the best efforts of paramedics, the 50-year-old man in the Alfa Romeo, died at the scene on the A394 near the Darbridge Inn.
Just hours later, shortly after 10am, another man driving a van on the B4306 between Pontyberem and Llannon, West Wales, was killed by a large tree which fell across the road.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
STORM ERIK CLAIMS SECOND VICTIM
Dyfed-Powys police confirmed on Twitter earlier today: "We attended a one vehicle road traffic collision shortly after 10am on Friday, February 8, on the B4306 between Pontyberem and Llannon.
"A large tree had fallen across the road and collided with the van. Tragically, the male driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
"His family is being supported by police."
Meanwhile Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed: "One man has died after a tree fell on two cars in Buckfastleigh this morning.
"The driver of the Alfa Romeo, a 50-year-old man from Totnes, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed."
DEADLY TREES FALLING
The driver of a Hyundai , a woman in her 20s, was pulled from her car and taken to Derriford Hospital with minor injuries.
The road is expected to be closed for the majority of the day due to the complexity of the recovery operation and for police to carry out an examination of the scene.
Meanwhile, a tree was sent smashing through the roof of a double decker bus in Poole, Dorset about midday.
A spokesperson from Morebus said five passengers and the driver were on board the X6 bus at the time of the incident but luckily no one was injured.
In another terrifying incident, two people were pulled from a submerged car near St Clears near Carmarthen, Wales.
Witnesses helped rescue the pair before they were taken to hospital for checks.
TRAVEL CHAOS
It comes as wet and windy weather conditions is set to cause travel chaos and possible power cuts this weekend as coastal communities have been warned to be aware of large waves and spray.
The strong gusts have also caused tensions for planes landing in the UK - with one British Airways flight into London Heathrow filmed wobbling side to side as it comes in to land.
London City Airport also confirmed strong winds had caused flight delays and cancellations this afternoon.
And while the worst of the weather is yet to hit, emergency services were forced to rush to the Devon crash on the A384 about 5.30am today when a huge tree crashed down onto two cars.
It comes as the Met Office issued two weather warnings for Friday for strong winds across Northern Ireland and western Scotland until the evening, and for heavy rain in Scotland right through until Saturday afternoon.
There will be some quite nasty travelling conditions out there this morning
Sarah Kent, meteorologist
Met Office meteorologist Sarah Kent warned the stormy weather will result in some "quite nasty travelling conditions".
She said: "It's going to be a noticeably windy day everywhere today.
"And that is going to be in association with outbreaks of heavy rain too, so there will be some quite nasty travelling conditions out there this morning."
Homes were blacked out and ferries cancelled in the West Country as the boisterous weather hit today.
Western Distribution power company's engineers are battling to restore supplies to around 120 homes in the Exeter area of Devon where families had cold breakfasts after the lights went out.
And while there is expected to be a lull in the fiercest winds on Friday evening, gusts will pick up again around midnight, when a warning for wind will cover Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and much of Northern England.
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The forecast has warned of powerful gusts of 50 to 60mph inland and occasionally 70mph along exposed coasts.
Winds are expected to finally ease off by Sunday.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “A deep area of low pressure is expected to track across northern Britain later on Friday and through early Saturday.
“Gales will become widespread later on Friday, persisting well into Saturday whilst becoming more westerly.”
He added: “In addition, bands of heavy rain sweeping eastwards on Friday, in particular, will present an additional hazard.”
Storm Erik was named by Irish forecaster Met Eireann on Thursday and overnight brought winds of 56mph to Cork.
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