Council to probe tree work after car death

A COUNCIL has begun an investigation into the maintenance of trees at the scene of a tragedy in which a woman from Yorkshire was impaled by a tree branch which crashed onto her car during a storm.

The woman, 55, from Pontefract, was taken to hospital following the incident during high winds and rain in Stanley, Wakefield on Thursday evening. She died soon afterwards.

The Vauxhall Zafira in which she was a passenger was hit by part of the falling tree, estimated to weigh a ton, in Aberford Road.

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Fire crews who cut the victims from the car said the woman had been impaled.

The 54-year-old Pontefract man driving the car was also hurt but his injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

Resident Ian Woodfine, 54, of Aberford Road, said his wife Dawn had complained to the council about a month ago about the lack of maintenance of local trees in the vicinity of the disused church, St Peter's, where it happened.

Mr Woodfine and several other residents were evacuated for their own safety amid concerns about the state of other trees.

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A local tree surgeon at the scene claimed those lining the road could have become "brittle" through traffic fumes.

He said the collapsed tree had not been maintained for some time.

Ian Humphries said: "Unfortunately, looking at the tree, the first thing that comes to mind is it has not been maintained in a long while.

"It doesn't look a healthy tree by what has broken off at the top. I would say it's not healthy, it's not healthy by the road traffic going past."

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Joanne Roney, chief executive of Wakefield Council said: "We would like to express our sincere sympathy to the family involved in this tragic accident.

"Wakefield Council is responsible for maintaining the trees at this site. We have removed the tree involved and as a precautionary measure we are now removing a number of other trees over the weekend.

"We are fully co-operating with the police investigation into the accident."

A police spokesman said a number of homes in the area were evacuated overnight and that the road – the A642 Wakefield to Rothwell – will remain closed for two days while some of the trees are removed.

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Three fire crews were called to the scene to free the casualties and a fire service spokesman described the woman as having been "impaled".

The Archdeacon of Pontefract, Peter Townley, said the council was responsible for the trees in the church grounds.

"We are desperately sorry at this news and out deep sympathies and prayers go out to the family of this lady," he said. "There is a full investigation going on and we are speaking to the police and the council.

"The churchyard has been maintained by the local authority for the last 20 years."

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The gales and high winds caused disruption across Northern England, North Wales and Northern Ireland.

As gusts reached 100mph, aircraft at Leeds Bradford Airport had to be diverted. A flight from Dublin was forced to divert to Liverpool after making three unsuccessful attempts to land. Other planes had to fly on to Manchester.

Roads around Blackpool Tower, including part of the Promenade, were close due to gale force winds.

Police cordoned off the area after scaffolding fell from the Tower complex, which is undergoing refurbishment.

Damage to the illuminations could cost up to 1m to repair.

Pennine hill hit by 100mph gusts

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Gusts of 100mph were recorded late on Thursday on Great Dun Fell in the north Pennines and Capel Curig, in Snowdonia, experienced 91mph winds.

The wind at Great Dun Fell failed to top the last recorded high for the exposed spot.

In January 1968, winds hit 134mph at the same site.

The heaviest rain fell in Shap, Cumbria, where 29mm fell in 12 hours.

Lancashire and Yorkshire saw rainfall of 7-10mm in the same period.

The heavy winds caused havoc with Blackpool's illuminations. Among the wrecked tableaux were favourites based on Alice in Wonderland and Sing A Song of Sixpence.