Tributes paid to man killed by falling tree in Storm Boelo

Image source, RBGE

Richard Baines worked at Logan Botanic Garden near Stranraer

Tributes have been paid to a man who died after being hit by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway.

Richard Baines, 60, the long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Garden near Stranraer, died during Storm Boelo on Sunday morning.

It is understood that he was walking near his home in Mid Kelton, just outside Castle Douglas, when the accident happened.

David Knott, director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, said they were “desperately sad, devastated” by the news.

“He had a warmth, a genuine sense of humour, he always made time for individuals and that’s one of the tributes that has been said many times this morning,” Knott told BBC Scotland News.

“He always found time for his colleagues. And he was always very supportive in providing opportunities for the next generation of horticulturalists. He was a very genuine and warm human being.”

Logan Botanic Garden is home to a range of exotic plants as it benefits from the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. It is one of four Scottish gardens run by the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.

Knott said Baines came up with the description of Logan as “Scotland’s most exotic garden” and worked hard to promote both the garden and the south-west of Scotland.

Image source, RBGE

Baines described Logan as “Scotland’s most exotic garden”

Knott said his colleague would be remembered for his “passion and enthusiasm for plants” and for significantly expanding the plant collection at Logan.

During his tenure, he was primarily responsible for significant developments including the first public conservatory to be powered by green energy in the UK.

Baines also participated and led fieldwork in China, the Canary Islands and Vietnam, from where seven plant species new to science were catalogued.

“Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider work and culture has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many,” Knott said.

The accident happened at Mid Kelton, near Castle Douglas, in Dumfries and Galloway

Baines died as Storm Boelo swept across Scotland, causing flooding, travel disruption and power cuts over the weekend and into Monday.

The wind picked up on Saturday and an amber warning was in place from Saturday night.

Galloway Mountain Rescue Team (GMRT) said they had responded to “one of the most gruelling callouts our team had faced in recent history” on Saturday.

They were called to Curleywee in the Minigaff Hills to help a runner who was injured while taking part in the OMM mountain challenge.

In a post on Facebook, external, they said 10 members of their team pushed through “torrential rain, severe wind and unforgiving boggy ground” to reach the casualty.

A coastguard helicopter had to turn back due to the deteriorating weather.

The team said they had to carry the casualty off the hill, with the help of members of the OMM safety team, before handing the runner to the Scottish Ambulance Service.

OMM has faced some criticism on social media for allowing the run to go ahead in the poor weather.

A spokesperson said the course was closed and all competitors accounted for before the amber wind warning took effect at 21:00 on Saturday.

“The event team continually assessed the mountain weather forecast in the build-up to and throughout the event, with competitor safety guiding every decision,” they added.

The spokesperson said they were grateful for the “understanding and support” shown as the event was adapted to the forecast conditions.

They said they would be making as a donation to GMRT, as is usual practice at OMM events whether or not a callout takes place.

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