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Woman dies after caravan blows off cliff with her inside as Storm Ali ravages UK and Ireland

The scene in Claddaghduff, near Clifden in Co Galway where a woman died after her caravan was blown off a cliff in Storm Ali (Getty Images)
The scene in Claddaghduff, near Clifden in Co Galway where a woman died after her caravan was blown off a cliff in Storm Ali (Getty Images)

A woman has died after caravan blew off a cliff with her inside as Storm Ali ravages the UK and Ireland.

The woman, believed to be in her 50s, was inside the vehicle which was tipped down a rocky drop in Claddaghduff, Co Galway, on Wednesday morning.

Police and emergency services attended the scene, though the woman was later pronounced dead.

As Ali rolled in on Wednesday morning the Met Office updated its amber weather warning of wind, saying there is now a high likelihood of impacts across a swathe of the UK.

A man picks up debris at the scene. (Photo by Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images)
A man picks up debris at the scene. (Photo by Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images)

Forecasters have warned of gusts of 65-75mph inland across Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland, north-east England and north-west England.

Travel disruption, power cuts and flying debris are possible as the storm sweeps through, with severe gales and heavy rain forecast for a large part of the UK.

Storm Ali to batter UK with 80mph winds and rain

Storm Ali is predicted to cause flying debris (PA)
Storm Ali is predicted to cause flying debris (PA)

A total of 55,000 homes and businesses, mainly in the south-west of Ireland, have been left without power due to the bad weather brought by Storm Ali, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) said.

Forecasters have issued a Status Orange wind warning for more than half the country due to the storm.

A statement from Irish police said: “Gardai in Clifden Co Galway are dealing with an incident which occurred at Claddaghduff, Co Galway this morning.

“A caravan has blown off a cliff. It is believed that a female in her 50s was in the caravan.

“Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene.”

The Met Office has issued weather warnings during Storm Ali (PA)
The Met Office has issued weather warnings during Storm Ali (PA)

ESB Networks, which oversees the power supply, said approximately 55,000 homes, farms and businesses were without power this morning, primarily in the south-west of the country.

“The damage is mainly attributable to fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.

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“Storm Ali is currently active across the south-west and west coast of the country with gale force winds and gusts of up to 120 km/h per hour.

“The counties most impacted include Cork, Kerry and Limerick, as the storm continues to track north.”

Crews have been mobilised and are working towards restoring power to all affected families.