Woman dies on Isle of Wight after locals urged to ‘stay indoors’ amid Storm Boelo

A woman has died following a major incident on the Sandown Bay seafront in the Isle of Wight – as the country suffered through its second named storm of the season.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary were informed of a “concern for welfare” for a woman in her 50s at 11.17am on Monday.

Police, ambulance, coastguard rescue teams – including a coastguard helicopter and an RNLI lifeboat from Bembrige – were called to Sandown Esplanade, located south of the pier.

A cordon was put in place while emergency teams dealt with the incident.

“Sadly, despite the very best efforts of all emergency services in attendance, she was pronounced deceased at the scene,” a spokesperson for the police told the Independent.

“Her next of kin have been updated and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.”

Police provided no further details on the victim, or how the incident occured. Reports suggest the woman was walking her dog during stormy weather near the town of Lake.

Storm Boelo batters UK

The UK is still recovering from strong gusts and heavy rainfall brought by Storm Boelo – which saw gusts creep up to 84 mph in Scotland. Gusts of 76mph were also recorded at St Mary’s Airport in the Isles of Scilly, with 74mph at Aberporth in south Wales and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.

Two men were killed by falling trees, while hundreds of thousands of homes were left without power. A Met Office yellow weather warning for wind remains in place on Tuesday in Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland.

Isle of Wight Council advised locals to “stay indoors as much as possible” during the storm and recommended keeping away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences. “If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees,” it added. “Do not drive unless your journey is necessary.”

Weather on the Isle of Wight appears to be approving. The latest Met Office forecast shows sunny conditions on Monday, with a maximum temperature of 14C. Gusts could still reach 33 mph.

Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season.