Storm Eunice: Man dies after debris hits van windscreen in Netherton

Strong winds have swept across Merseyside as Storm Eunice reached the region

A man has died after a van was struck by debris as Storm Eunice hit the UK.

The passenger, in his 50s, was killed after the windscreen of the vehicle was struck at about 14:10 GMT on Switch Island in Netherton, Merseyside.

An amber weather warning is in place for Merseyside until 21:00 GMT with strong winds expected.

The M58 has been closed while emergency services attend the scene and officers urged anyone who witnessed the incident or had dashcam footage to contact them.

Police said the driver of the vehicle was not injured and an investigation was ongoing.

A woman has died in north London and a man has died in the Republic of Ireland after the arrival of Storm Eunice.

It has also brought widespread travel disruption with hundreds of trains and flights cancelled.

• Follow live updates about Storm Eunice

Coastguard officers were forced to take action earlier after three men ignored safety warnings and went for a dip in the sea at New Brighton.

The swimmers were urged to get out of the water by the Coastguard amid safety concerns.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for wind in Merseyside

The car park by Fort Perch Rock in Wirral was closed as the storm hit and roads in the area have also been shut.

Festival Gardens and Croxteth Hall Walled Garden in Liverpool have closed while council-owned grass football sites will be shut all weekend.

A number of Covid testing sites in the city have also been closed, while all council-planned outdoor events have been cancelled.

A tree fell across tracks in Leasowe, Merseyside

All public parks in St Helens have been closed with the council urging residents to avoid open spaces as a precaution.

Loganair flights between the Isle of Man and Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham have been cancelled.

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