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One dead in high winds road chaos Lorry driver dies in 70mph winds
(20 minutes later)
At least one person has died as high winds brought chaos to parts of the north-east of England and Cumbria. A lorry driver was killed when his vehicle was blown over in high winds, which battered parts of the north-east of England and Cumbria.
Cumbria Police say the fatality occurred on the M6 as emergency services dealt with a spate of accidents in winds gusting up to 70mph. Police say the 45-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, on the northbound M6 near Tebay in Cumbria, early on Thursday.
A long stretch of the motorway was closed between Kirkby Lonsdale and Shap as lorries were swept over in the wind. A long stretch of the motorway was closed to all traffic for a time as winds gusted up to 70mph.
Elsewhere, roads and rail services were affected by fallen trees and debris.
Northern Rail reported delays between Newcastle and Hexham after a tree fell on the line at Wylam, Northumberland.Northern Rail reported delays between Newcastle and Hexham after a tree fell on the line at Wylam, Northumberland.
Elsewhere, minor roads were affected by fallen trees and debris. Police urged drivers to travel only if necessary.
A police spokesman said details of the fatality would be released later.
Delay journeysDelay journeys
Police urged drivers to travel only if necessary.
In Northumberland, the A68 was closed in both directions due to a fallen tree near Kiln Pit Hill.In Northumberland, the A68 was closed in both directions due to a fallen tree near Kiln Pit Hill.
A spokesman for the Highways Agency in Cumbria said: "We had about six incidents in the early hours alone on the M6.A spokesman for the Highways Agency in Cumbria said: "We had about six incidents in the early hours alone on the M6.
"We've basically had to deal with lorries being blown over and blocking carriageways."We've basically had to deal with lorries being blown over and blocking carriageways.
"The police asked us to close it totally for a time and we are asking people to delay their journeys if possible and keep an eye on the weather."The police asked us to close it totally for a time and we are asking people to delay their journeys if possible and keep an eye on the weather.
"We are not expecting the situation to improve until the afternoon.""We are not expecting the situation to improve until the afternoon."
The high winds and rain were expected to move south during the day.The high winds and rain were expected to move south during the day.
Have you been affected by the high winds? Has your journey been disrupted? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Have you been affected by the high winds? Has your journey been disrupted? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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