‘Deeply missed’ man killed by falling tree during Storm Boelo pictured

Tributes have been paid to a man who was struck by a falling tree during Storm Boelo on Sunday. Two men were killed by falling trees on Sunday – a man in his 20s in Finchley, north London, and a 60-year-old man in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. Two women were also taken to hospital after they were struck by another falling tree in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross. Richard Baines, 60, curator of Logan Botanic Garden, was killed by a falling tree during the storm.

David Knott, director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “Richard Baines, the curator of Logan Botanic Garden sadly passed away on Sunday, October 25, during Storm Boelo, after a tragic accident while walking near his home. He was primarily responsible for a number of significant developments and initiatives at Logan including the first ‘all green’ public conservatory powered by green energy in the UK.

“During his tenure, Logan also successfully gained a number of accolades including being voted the ‘Best Garden in the UK’ by Which in 2021. Logan was also the first garden in Scotland to gain gold for Green Business Tourism award and install vehicle electric charging points, culminating in Logan being awarded 5 Star status as a Visitor Attraction by VisitScotland.

“It will, however, be for his passion and enthusiasm for plants that he will be remembered through significantly increasing and expanding the plant collection at Logan, participating and leading fieldwork in China, Canary Islands and Vietnam from which seven plant species are currently being published that are new to science.

“Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and Curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider work and culture, has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many.”

Storm Boelo brought chaos to the UK on Sunday, with a top wind gust of 85mph recorded in the Scottish village of Machrihanish.

First Minister John Swinney posted on X: “My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two people who have tragically lost their lives as a result of Storm Boelo.

“My thoughts are with all those affected by the damage and I thank the emergency services working through the night to keep people safe.”

Storm Boelo followed Storm Austen, which brought strong winds to southern parts of the UK on Friday.

Gusts of 76mph were recorded at St Mary’s Airport in the Isles of Scilly, with 74mph at Aberporth in South Wales and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.

The Environment Agency on Monday issued 13 warnings that flooding is expected and 44 alerts where it is possible.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said 33 flood warnings and 13 flood alerts were in place, while Natural Resources Wales reported three flood warnings and 14 flood alerts were active at the same time.