Van driver dies as Storm Darragh fells trees on Longton bypass

Emergency services at the scene in Longton during Saturday morning Pic: Blog Preston

A man has died after a tree fell onto the van he was driving on the Longton bypass.

Emergency service were scrambled to the A59 at Hutton shortly after 9am on Saturday (7 December).

The man, in his 40s, was driving a Citroen van in the direction of Preston when a tree fell onto his vehicle causing serious injuries near to the Lancashire Police headquarters. He has since been named as Paul Fiddler.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and police say his next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer.

Detective Sergeant Matt Davidson of the serious collision investigation unit said: “Very sadly this incident has resulted in the death of a man and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.”

“An investigation is ongoing, and I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened or has any dashcam or mobile phone footage to please get in touch.”

The tree was felled as Storm Daragh continues to lash Preston and Lancashire with wind speeds of up to 80mph and heavy rain. A warning of strong winds has been extended into Sunday by the Met Office.

One of the trees which came down on the A59

The Longton bypass has remained closed throughout Saturday morning and lunchtime with traffic diverted via Longton and Liverpool Road. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they sent two crews to the scene to assist police.

The A59 re-opened fully between Chapel Lane and the Hickory’s roundabout around 4pm on Saturday.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log 0368 of December 7 or email the serious collision investigation unit on sciu@lancashire.police.uk

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