Woman killed after caravan blown off a cliff

A woman has died after the caravan she was in was blown off a cliff onto a beach in the west of Ireland during Storm Ali, Irish police said.

Rescuers attended at Claddaghduff, near Clifden in Co Galway, yesterday morning.

The west of Ireland has been battered by high winds caused by the Atlantic storm.

A statement from Irish police said: “At approximately 7.45am a report was received that a caravan had blown off the cliff at the above location.

“A search was carried out at the scene on the beach and after a short time the body of a female in her 50s was recovered. Her body is expected to be removed to University College Galway for a post-mortem examination. The local coroner has been notified.”

The RTE broadcaster said the victim was sleeping at the time when strong winds lifted the caravan from the ground.

Irish President Michael D Higgins said: “I was deeply saddened to learn that storm Ali has already claimed one victim today. May I express my deepest condolences.”