Driver is killed by falling tree near Crieff

A85 Gilmerton tragedy struck as storms lashed parts of Courier Country

A male driver died after a tree fell on his car in storm-lashed Perthshire last night.

The tragedy happened on the A85 Perth to Crieff road, two miles east of Gilmerton, shortly before 8pm.

Emergency services, including two Scottish Fire and Rescue Services appliances from Crieff, rushed to the incident, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man’s car was the only vehicle involved.

A diversion was quickly put in place at the Fowlis junction to the east and at Gilmerton to the west of the accident scene.

Police kept the road closed for some time as the deceased driver was removed from the crushed vehicle and the carriageway cleared.

The man’s identity will not be released until next of kin have been informed.

Police have issued an appeal for information from anyone who may have been travelling on the road around the time of the incident.

The accident happened as the area was swept by heavy rain and high winds, with reports of roads around the area being badly affected by localised flooding and fallen debris.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) had earlier placed the Mearns under flood alert after a Met Office warning of heavy rain across many parts of Courier Country during the latter part of yesterday and overnight.

A yellow warning was placed on Aberdeenshire covering the period from 7pm last night until noon today.

The Met Office said that as much as 50mm of rain could fall in 24 hours in the north and north east.

Motorists were urged to be alert to the possibility of localised flooding and disruption to transport routes due to difficult driving conditions.

A Sepa statement: “Heavy and persistent rainfall has been forecast for the north east of Scotland, which will lead to a risk of flooding from rivers as of early Wednesday morning.

“Possible flooding impacts may include flooding of low-lying land and roads. Wet road surfaces and ponding of water may lead to difficult driving conditions, travel disruption and longer journey times.

“Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they had not been called to any floodrelated incidents in the Tayside area during yesterday evening.

Angus also escaped the weather warning, but a number of routes were badly affected by standing water during the afternoon.

Picture: Stuart Cowper. The scene at the junction of the A85 Crieff road down to Kinkell Bridge for traffic being diverted to Crieff after a driver was killed when a tree fell on his car in storm-lashed Perthshire last night.