A woman in her 80s was also pulled from the water, and remains in hospital
An elderly man has died after his car plunged into a river in the middle of Storm Bert. The man, aged in his 80s, was pulled from the water on Cockhill Lane, Colne, where Noyna Ford is located, by emergency services at 4.15pm yesterday, November 24. He taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A woman, also in her 80s, was also recovered from the water. She remains in hospital, where her condition is described as not life threatening, The Mirror reports.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services sent two fire engines to the scene, and specialist swift water rescue teams from Nelson and Penwortham who are specialist swift water rescue teams were involved in the rescue effort, along with a boat from Preston. The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed onto the coroner, Lancashire Police confirmed.
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The Met Office has urged members of the public to keep an eye on weather warnings through the evening as the warnings could change. Storm Bert is “will continue to cause disruption” according to Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page, who said: “Impacts from Storm Bert will continue to cause disruption as we go through today, and multiple warnings are in place for wind and rain.
“While the risk of any snowfall has now diminished, rainfall will affect much of the UK today, in particular some southwestern parts of England and South Wales, but the heaviest rain will ease from these areas through the day.”
Weather warnings are expected to expire later tonight. The longest-lasting is the rain warning for southwest England, which is in place until 11.45pm tonight. But the warnings and weather is subject to change as expert Page urges the public to stay alert of high wind speeds and sudden changes.
He added: “The strong southerly winds continue today and warnings are in place for central, southern and eastern England, Northern Ireland and western Scotland where gusts could peak at 60 mph and could even reach more than 70 mph along some exposed coasts. Warnings could still be amended, possibly at short notice, so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.”
Casualties as a result of Storm Bert were also recorded earlier today, with the body of Brian Perry, 75, being found in Trefiw, North Wales. Police had put out an appeal for the whereabouts of the pensioner, who went missing while walking his dog. While no formal identification of the body has occurred, Mr Perry’s family has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
