A heartbroken family have paid tribute to a “beloved husband and devoted dad” who died when debris from Storm Eunice smashed through a van windscreen.
Stephen Matthews, 68, from Aintree was a passenger in the van when it was struck by storm debris at 2.10pm on Friday, February 18.
The debris had flown through the windscreen of the van and the hit dad-of-two, who tragically died at the scene.
The driver of the van was unhurt during the incident, which took place at the Switch Island road junction near Aintree in Merseyside.
The terrible accident happened as Strom Eunice battered the area with winds of up to 70mph, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Stephen's family have paid tribute to him and said he was "taken too soon".
They said: “Stephen was a popular and well-known member of the Aintree community who was tragically taken from us too soon.
“The beloved husband of Sylvia and devoted Dad to Jonathan and Robert, he will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends.”
Members of the local community expressed their heartbreak and left messages of support for Stephen's family.
Pat Moriatis said: "Very sad news my thoughts go out to his family, friends & also to the driver who must be devastated."
Annie Sharpes said: "Such a horrible thing to happen to someone just going about their business. That could've been any one of us. So shocking, poor man."
Kimberley Barker said: "So sad for the man who lost his life and his family and friends. The poor driver of the vehicle must be in shock too."
Joan Haresnape said: "So sad. Deepest sympathy to his family. I bet lots of families were glad to see their loved ones get home today."
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information or dashcam footage is asked to call our Matrix Roads Policing Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk, or DM @MerPolCC on Twitter quoting log 566 of 18 th February.
