A 29-year-old Nigerian man, James Abiwon, has died after a tree fell on his moving car during Storm Boelo in Mill Hill, north London.
The incident occurred on Dollis Road at about 12.30pm on Sunday as strong winds swept through the area, according to Metro UK.
Emergency responders, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics and an air ambulance crew, were deployed to the scene. However, Abiwon was pronounced dead.
His cousin, Tyrrell Okolo, described him as a devoted family man and a multi-talented individual who excelled in several fields.
Abiwon worked as a technology sales executive and graduated from the University of Essex. He was also a semi-professional footballer who played for Aldershot, a musician whose YouTube channel attracted about 40,000 viewers, and a mentor to others.
His close friend, Kwame Affum, said they had played padel together just two days before the incident.
Affum described Abiwon as energetic and talented, revealing that he had recently received an award at work and was preparing to celebrate his 30th birthday in two weeks.
A padel tournament originally planned to mark his birthday will now be held in his memory, with proceeds expected to support his family.
A witness told Metro UK that she heard a helicopter before discovering the fallen tree blocking the road, with Abiwon’s vehicle trapped underneath.
She said his girlfriend, best friend and relatives arrived at the scene while emergency crews were carrying out rescue operations. His family members were reportedly devastated by the news.
A neighbour whose home overlooks the scene said the incident could easily have affected other road users, noting that the road was busy at the time.
Traffic on Dollis Road was reportedly heavier than usual because roadworks on a nearby street had diverted vehicles onto the route.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the scene at about 12.40pm on Sunday following reports that a tree had fallen onto a moving vehicle.
Police are working with the local authority and coroner to establish the circumstances surrounding Abiwon’s death.
Storm Boelo brought wind gusts of up to 84 miles per hour across parts of the United Kingdom over the weekend. A 60-year-old man was also killed by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, while several other people were injured.
