A man in his fifties died after a large tree fell onto a caravan during Storm Goretti in Helston on 12 November 2023. The incident occurred at approximately 09:30 GMT, when gale‑force winds overwhelmed a mature oak situated roughly 80 metres from the site. The tree’s canopy was heavily laden with rain, causing its root system to fail and the trunk to collapse onto the caravan. The victim was inside the caravan at the time; emergency services reached the scene within fifteen minutes, but the individual was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. _2_

Police investigations are being conducted by the Royal Cornwall Police Forest and Environment Department in conjunction with the British Red Cross’ Search and Rescue unit. The investigation is focused on determining if procedural failures contributed to the incident and whether any safety warnings were issued following assessment of the tree’s condition prior to the storm’s arrival. Early reports indicate that the Royal Horticultural Society’s guidelines were not reviewed in the week before the storm. _3_

Storm Goretti, a low‑pressure system that entered the Atlantic on 9 November, produced sustained winds of up to 50 mph across southern England, with some areas recording gusts near 70 mph. While the National Weather Service identified the region as high‑risk for timber falls, the coastal communities had no siren alerts specific to fallen branches. The tragic event has prompted local authorities to review current tree‑management protocols, specifically regarding roadside and residential property proximity to public space. The incident highlights the interaction between extreme weather and critical infrastructure safety where a natural event can directly trigger a fatal disaster.