Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold and jockey Hayley Turner had fortunate escapes as Storm Babet wreaked havoc across the United Kingdom. Alexander-Arnold was involved in a terrifying incident when a 40ft electricity pylon fell onto the car in front of him, according to reports. The powerful winds, reaching speeds of 70mph, uprooted the high voltage power line and it landed just in front of Alexander-Arnold’s black Range Rover near Knutsford, Cheshire. The footballer managed to avoid a collision with the fallen pylon by applying the brakes but did end up crashing into a BMW X5. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
On the same note, jockey Hayley Turner had her own dramatic experience when she had to be rescued from her flooded car the previous day. Turner was on her way to Ascot but got stranded near Redcar due to the storm-induced floods caused by Storm Babet. The jockey had to make an emergency call and, with the help of firefighters, was given a fireman’s lift out of her car window. Turner was unable to compete at Redcar and instead made her way safely to Ascot the following day. Despite the harrowing ordeal, she maintained a sense of humor, stating that while she was stranded, her horse won by a significant margin.
Storm Babet showed no signs of relenting as heavy rainfall continued to pummel the UK, resulting in three fatalities and the issuance of a red danger to life warning. As a result, numerous sporting events were postponed for safety reasons. Ross County’s home match against St Mirren in the cinch Premiership became the latest fixture to be called off after discussions with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and Police Scotland. The decision was made with the well-being of supporters in mind, and a new date for the match will be scheduled in due course.
Several other games were also affected by the storm, including Aberdeen’s home game against Dundee and Motherwell’s trip to St Johnstone. In addition, Mansfield’s home clash with Forest Green in Sky Bet League Two and Altrincham’s match against Dorking in the Vanarama National League were postponed. Chesterfield’s home fixture against Gateshead was canceled based on recommendations from external partner agencies. Similarly, the Scottish Championship match between Arbroath and Raith Rovers, Greenock’s game against Inverness, and Cove Rangers’ clash with Montrose in League One were all postponed due to the stormy conditions.
Market Rasen’s race card for Saturday was also called off due to the presence of standing water on sections of the track. Following an inspection that revealed 50mm of rainfall in the area, it was decided that the meeting had to be abandoned. Furthermore, Rotherham’s Championship game against Ipswich, originally scheduled for Friday night, was postponed due to torrential rain causing the River Don to burst its banks and flood the area around the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
The impact of Storm Babet has been felt across different sporting events, with matches and races being canceled or postponed for the safety of all involved. The storm’s relentless downpours and powerful winds have not only disrupted these events but also posed significant risks to individuals, highlighting the importance of taking precautions and staying vigilant in such hazardous weather conditions.
