Woman impaled by tree dies

A woman has died after being impaled by a branch when a tree crashed onto her car in high winds.

West Yorkshire Police said she was taken to hospital but died soon afterwards.

The woman, from Pontefract, was taken to hospital after the Vauxhall Zafira she was travelling in was hit by the tree on Aberford Road, Wakefield.

A man who was driving the car was also hurt on Thursday night. The car remained in the middle of the road on Friday morning with its roof cut off, doors open and bonnet up.

Neighbour Christine Wright said: "I heard a loud thud about nine-ish, but there was so much noise with the wind I didn't think much of it, initially. Something made me look out of my window and I saw two police officers in yellow jackets. I then heard the ambulance sirens.

"It's so worrying, there are lots of tall, old trees around here. Someone needs to look at them."

The incident happened as high winds and heavy rain battered many parts of the UK.

As gusts reached 100mph, aircraft had to be diverted from Leeds-Bradford airport where the wind speeds caused havoc for some incoming flights.

Worst-hit overnight were north-west England, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Other parts of the country badly battered included Anglesey and Northern Ireland, where downed power lines left thousands of homes without power, while localised flooding was reported in other parts of Wales and the Isle of Wight.

In Lancashire, roads surrounding Blackpool Tower, including part of The Promenade, were closed due to damage caused by gale force winds.

Police made the decision to cordon off the site after scaffolding fell to the ground from the landmark which is undergoing refurbishment. No-one was injured.

In Northern Ireland, around 5,000 people were left without electricity as severe weather disrupted power networks.

Elsewhere, fire crews on the Isle of Wight dealt with flood-related incidents at about 100 homes, mostly in Ryde, following heavy rain.

Flight and ferry crossings to the Isle of Man were also cancelled.