Tourist named in fatal Storm Ali accident as bad weather continues

Fatal Storm Ali causes power outages, disruptions across Ireland

The woman who died in a freak Storm Ali accident has been named as Swiss tourist Elvira Ferraii. Ferraii had only arrived in the Connemara area the day before her death.

Ferraii died after the holiday caravan she was sleeping in was blown off of a cliff by Storm Ali’s intense winds on Wednesday morning. It is understood the caravan fell some 30 feet onto the beach before it became submerged in water. Ferraii was the only one in the caravan at the time.

Read More: Ireland under “Orange” weather alert as Storm Ali strikes

Emergency services arrived at the scene after people nearby noticed the caravan being blown away around 7:45 in the morning. Ferraii’s body was later located and brought to University Hospital Galway for a post-mortem.

President Michael D Higgins said: “I’m deeply saddened to learn that Storm Ali has already claimed one victim and as President of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to her family.”

The Irish president added, "I would also take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those, in statutory and voluntary organizations around the country, who are helping and stand ready to assist their fellow citizens, and who are working to maintain essential services around the country."

Ferraii’s death is said to have shocked the Connemara area, where the caravan was rented from locally at Clifden Eco Beach Camping and Caravanning Park. The area was badly damaged and many residents are without power.

ESB reports that at the height of Storm Ali, 186,000 customers across Ireland were impacted.

Read More: Storm Ali claims second victim as man in his 20s dies in Northern Ireland

In Slieve Gullion in Newry, Co Armagh, a man in his 20s died after being struck by a fallen tree. He has not yet been named publicly.

Looking ahead in the week, Carlow Weather on Facebook said Thursday is “probably best described as an awful day!”

“Wet, cold and windy in the afternoon and evening with some spot flooding, especially in Southeast Coastal Counties.”

“Friday morning looks very windy again too but just some showers and a little milder.”

“Saturday cool and not too windy with just some showers but a risk of another storm approaching Saturday night and a very windy start to Sunday with heavy rain, but that is uncertain at present though and it may end up not being too bad.”

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