Severe weather in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly - 3 January 2012

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

A man has died and two others have been airlifted to safety after their small tanker was hit by a wave in the English Channel in severe weather.

Falmouth Coastguard and RNAS Culdrose confirmed the men were airlifted from the Annie PG at about 11:40 GMT.

Two men were taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital. A third crew member taken to Derriford Hospital died.

Elsewhere, two schools were closed and ferries and train services disrupted as winds of up to 70mph hit the county.

Western Power Distribution reported that about 650 properties remained without power in the South West, with Nancledra School and St Meriadoc Infants School closing as a result.

Earlier in the day the Tamar Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles, but those restrictions have now been lifted.

First Great Western said its rail services between Truro and Penzance were being hindered by an obstruction blocking "all lines" and the Cremyll, St Mawes and Flushing ferries have all been cancelled.

Flights from Land's End airport and Penzance Heliport have been disrupted and flights from Newquay to Gatwick are delayed.

There are unconfirmed reports of a boat being sunk in Newquay Harbour.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan near St Austell and Trelissick Gardens at Feock have been closed because of the storms.

There are flood alerts on the Lynher and the River Tamar.

[old original]

The obstruction was a large power cable which came down at Scorrier, nr Redruth at about 09.00 and cleared about 10.30