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Heartbroken family pay tribute to ‘much loved’ man killed Storm Isha

James ‘Jimmy’ Johnstone, who was killed in the crash in Grangemouth in Scotland, has been described as “much-loved and well respected” man by his family

Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Wednesday 24 January 2024 09:51 GMT
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The heartbroken family of a man killed during Storm Isha have paid tribute to the “much loved” 84-year-old.

James “Jimmy” Johnstone, from Grangemouth, died when the car he was passenger in hit a tree in Grangemouth in Scotland on Sunday while an amber “danger to life” weather warning was in place.

He was one of four people who died during the storm in the UK and Ireland.

James “Jimmy” Johnstone, from Grangemouth, died when the car he was passenger in hit a tree in Grangemouth in Scotland on Sunday
James “Jimmy” Johnstone, from Grangemouth, died when the car he was passenger in hit a tree in Grangemouth in Scotland on Sunday (PA)

Mr Johnston was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the A905 Beancross Road at around 11.45pm.The other occupants of the vehicle were not injured in the incident in the Falkirk area.

Follow the latest updates on our live blog as new Storm Jocelyn causes chaos across the UK

Following the impact of Storm Isha, the UK is now facing Storm Jocelyn with severe weather leading Scot Rail to suspend services until at least noon on Tuesday - here’s the scene at Edinburgh Waverley train station
Following the impact of Storm Isha, the UK is now facing Storm Jocelyn with severe weather leading Scot Rail to suspend services until at least noon on Tuesday - here’s the scene at Edinburgh Waverley train station (PA)

In a statement released through Police Scotland, Mr Johnstone’s family said he was a “much-loved and well respected family man who left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege to have met him”.

It continued: “Our hearts are broken as a family – however, we take great comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with his beloved wife Anne.”

Police investigating the fatal crash have now issued an appeal for witnesses to the incident, which involved a Hyundai car.

Workers remove a tree that fell on an electricity substation on the Kinnaird estate in Larbert during Storm Isha on Sunday
Workers remove a tree that fell on an electricity substation on the Kinnaird estate in Larbert during Storm Isha on Sunday (PA)

Road Policing Inspector Andrew Thomson said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Johnstone, and all those involved in the collision. We continue to offer them support as our inquiries progress.”

Storm Isha has taken the lives of three others in the UK and Ireland.

A woman in her 20s died after a van she was a passenger in crashed into a tree at 1.50am in Ireland, a man in his 40s died in a car crash in Co Mayo, and a man in his sixties died in a collision on Broad Road in Limavady, Derry/Londonderry.

A trampoline deposited on a wall in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, after gusts from Storm Isha removed it from a nearby in a garden
A trampoline deposited on a wall in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, after gusts from Storm Isha removed it from a nearby in a garden (PA)

The devastating storm whipped up winds as fast as 107mph as thousands were left without power in the aftermath.

But recovery from Storm Isha was short-lived as Storm Jocelyn hurtled towards the UK on Tuesday bringing 97mph winds and further travel disruption.

Rail services to and from Scotland have been suspended until at least noon today, with Network Rail Scotland saying it had dealt with incidents of flooding, fallen trees and a shed roof blowing onto a high wall above a track on Tuesday evening.

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