Nature’s fury

Waves crashing over the lighthouse in Newhaven, East Sussex, southern England, as Storm Doris slams into the British Isles. With winds reaching nearly 144kph, flights were disrupted at London’s Heathrow Airport, with fears that the storm could also cause structural damage and power interruptions. — AP

LONDON: One person was killed by falling debris as Storm Doris slammed into the British Isles, also causing flight disruptions at Europe’s busiest air hub and train cancellations.

A woman suffered a fatal head injury from a piece of debris blowing down onto the street in Wolverhampton, central England.

Storm Doris was heading eastwards from the Atlantic Ocean across the British Isles, and was expected to clear the east coast around sunset.

The gales caused around 10% of flights to be scrapped at London’s Heathrow Airport.

In Britain, the top wind speed of 151kph was recorded at Capel Curig near Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.

In Ireland, wind speeds of 140kph were recorded at Mace Head in County Galway on the Atlantic west coast.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said several paramedics were sent to the fatal incident in Wolverhampton.

“On arrival, crews found a woman who had suffered very serious head injuries,” a spokesman said.

“Sadly, it quickly became apparent that there was nothing that could be done to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene.”

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “The incident is believed to be related to Storm Doris.”

Rebecca Davis, a 40-year-old teacher who saw the victim receiving emergency treatment, said the debris “was a big piece about the size of a coffee table”.

The storm caused travel disruption.

A Heathrow spokesman said: “Strong winds and poor weather across the UK have resulted in approximately a 10% reduction to Heathrow’s flight schedule.”

Speed limits of 80kph were imposed on several train lines in Britain, while many trains were cancelled, including services linking London with Manchester and Liverpool.

The Port of Liverpool in northwest England was closed due to the winds, while some ferry services to Scotland’s west coast islands were disrupted. — AFP