Man dies after lorry crashes into river in New Forest during Storm Chandra

A man died after his lorry crashed into a river on Tuesday during Storm Chandra.

Hampshire Police said the lorry driver, who was in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident in the New Forest.

"We were called just after 1pm on Tuesday to a report that a lorry had gone into a river off Ringwood Road in North Gorley," a force spokesman said.

"Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding his death."

Storm Chandra brought weather warnings, disruption and flooding across several parts of the UK on Tuesday.

Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts are in place on Wednesday, with the Met Office saying further rain could bring more disruption.

Residents at a home park in Dorset were told to evacuate their properties "as quickly as possible" by the Environment Agency after it issued a severe flood warning, meaning danger to life.

The agency said it expected the flood water at Iford Bridge Home Park near Christchurch to be "deep and fast flowing", with residents told to pack essential items and prepare to be away from their properties overnight.

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There were 85 flood warnings and 214 flood alerts in place across England on Wednesday morning.

Nine flood alerts were in place in Wales, while there were eight flood warnings and three flood alerts in place across Scotland.

There was 103mm of rain in Katesbridge, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday, according to the Met Office.

Nine schools in Somerset were closed because of the weather after the council declared a major incident on Tuesday evening.

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place for the southwest of England on Thursday from midday until 11.59pm.

There are multiple road closures in the region, with rail services also being disrupted by conditions in Somerset and Cornwall.

Passengers are being advised to "check before they travel".

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Sky News meteorologist Dr Christopher England said there will be an "ongoing flood risk in the South and East, as yesterday's [Tuesday's] rain moves through the river systems" - and the unsettled conditions could remain "into next week".

"Further heavy rain moving into the South West tomorrow [Thursday] and again on Friday will add to the threat," he added.

"The wind will pick up too, although it won't be anything like as windy as yesterday.

"It's looking fine for most of today, although there'll be some showers, mainly over Ireland, Northern Ireland and northeastern Scotland."

(c) Sky News 2026: Man dies after lorry crashes into river in New Forest during Storm Chandra