Calum Carmichael, 19, tragically lost his life after deadly gale force winds brought on by Storm Eowyn sent a tree crashing down onto his car as he drove to work
A 19-year-old tragically killed by Storm Eowyn’s ferocious winds has been named and pictured – as his devastated family paid tribute to the “one in a million” teen.
Calum Carmichael tragically lost his life after deadly gale force winds sent a tree crashing down onto his car as he drove to work. The apprentice welder and engineer, from New Cumnock, was travelling in his blue Ford Focus along the B743 when disaster struck.
Emergency services raced to the scene of the collision in Mauchline, East Ayrshire, at around 7.10am, but Calum succumbed to his injuries and passed away in hospital that afternoon. The teen, who leaves behind a devastated partner Kela, had been driving to work ahead of a rare red alert for wind that came into force across Scotland.
During the time of the tragedy, the Met Office had issued an amber warning for wind. Calum’s family said in a tribute that he was “the most loved and happiest man alive”. His devastated brother Ally Hodge said: “Calum was the most loving boy you could ever imagine.
“In our eyes he was the most loved and happiest man alive.” He added: “Along with a lot of friends and colleagues he has left behind a loving mum and dad, brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandmother and his girlfriend. We would like to thank all emergency services and hospital staff who tried there best to save him, the nurses in critical care were so amazing with us all while caring for him.”
His heartbroken sister Emilie added: “Words can’t even describe how heartbroken I am. I have lost my true best friend. Calum you truly were one in a million couldn’t have asked for a better brother or a better best friend. Don’t know what I’m going to do without you ! You were just a big jokester and hope everyone remembers that. Love you forever and a day buddy.”
Calum’s sister-in-law Yasmin added: “These past two days have been the worst moments of our lives. We are in what can only be described as a never ending nightmare and all we want to do is to wake up and have our beautiful boy safe, well and present by our sides. How lucky I was to gain the best brother a sister in law could ever ask for. The most selfless, loving, kind hearted beautiful young man inside and out. Truly blessed to call you ours. If love could have saved you pal then you would have surely out lived us all!”
Sergeant Chris McColm of the Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died.”
Millions of Scots were urged to stay at home this week as Storm Eowyn, dubbed the “worst storm since 1998”, battered the UK with wind gusts as high as 100mph. Buildings were ripped apart and significant disruption swept the country on Friday.
