North-east man, 35, killed when falling tree hit car in storm named

A man who was killed when his car was struck by a falling tree as Storm Arwen wreaked havoc on the north-east was yesterday named as David Lapage.

The 35-year-old was driving his Nissan Navara pick-up on the B977 Dyce to Hatton Fintry Road when the accident happened around 5.45pm last Friday.

A police van which was called to the scene was also damaged in the severe weather by being crushed by a falling tree, though fortunately the officers had already left the vehicle.

In a statement released through the police, Mr Lapage’s family said: “The family would like to thank all services involved and greatly appreciate all the messages of support.

“They would ask that their privacy is respected at this time.”

Sergeant Craig McNeill of the road policing unit at Inverurie said: “Our thoughts are very much with David’s family and friends at this time.”

Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the accident, and anyone with information is encouraged to call 101 quoting reference 2999.

Two other people died across the UK during Storm Arwen.

Cumbria Police said a man from Lancaster died in Ambleside after a tree fell on him, and in Northern Ireland a man was killed when his car was hit by a falling tree in County Antrim.

David Lapage died during Storm Arwen.