A woman aged 21 died last night after being crushed by a falling tree in Exeter.
The incident occurred on a patch of Western Way, close to the junction with Barnfield Road, at about 11:30PM on Saturday night. Two other people were also injured after the large spruce tree fell onto the pavement and into the road.
Once police arrived on the scene, three people were declared injured, with one in a critical condition. A short time after being taken to the hospital, the female was declared deceased.
Inspector Andrew Webber explained that the woman had been living in a small tent close to the wall by the roadside, when the tree fell on it.
Speaking to Sky News, Webber said: “It was a very large oak tree that had been there for very many years. Obviously we’ve had lots of heavy weather, it’s been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down.
“It’s taken a wall with it when it came down and then on top of that the tent was underneath and the tree has fallen on to the tent.
“There are two males involved with minor injuries and obviously a poor lady of 21 who received fatal injuries at the time.”
He said officers were on the scene, but that she died “almost instantaneously”.
Police are spending today (Sunday) carrying out a daylight investigation of the scene.
This morning, Prime Minister David Cameron spoke of his shock at the flooding which has hit Exeter and the rest of the South West. Speaking on Twitter, Mr Cameron said: “Shocking scenes of flooding. Govt will help ensure everything is being done to help.”
Meanwhile, traders at the Quay are doing everything they can to protect their businesses, after water levels dramatically rose over night. Heavy rain is expected to resume at 3PM today.
Tom Payne, Editor
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