A MAN has died after his car was struck by a falling tree in Co Antrim during high winds this afternoon.
A weather warning remains in place for Northern Ireland until 6pm Saturday night, with gusts of wind up to 65mph (105kmph) expected at times around coastal areas.
Ambulance service, police and firefighters worked at the scene at the Dublin Road, Antrim between the junctions with Oldstone Hill, Tirgracy Road and Deerpark Road for some hours, with the NI Fire and Rescue Service using specialist hydraulic equipment to reach the driver.
However, shortly before 6pm a PSNI spokesman said the man had not survived the impact.
"Police can confirm that a man has died after the car he was driving was struck by a falling tree on the Dublin Road in Antrim on Friday November 26.
"The Dublin Road remains closed in both directions at this time and diversions are in place. There are no further details at present."
DUP assembly member Trevor Clarke extended his condolences to "his loved ones at this very sad time".
The death came as ferries to and from Northern Ireland were cancelled yesterday during widespread disruption wrought by Storm Arwen.
All P&O Ferries sailings between Larne and Cairnryan and Stenaline journeys between Belfast and Cairnryan were cancelled, with the latter to reassess its weekend timetable in the early hours of this morning.
Ferry sailings between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island were also cancelled on Friday and expected to be disrupted on Saturday.
The first storm of the season came after Met Office warnings of possible injuries and danger to life from flying debris and damage to trees, temporary structures and buildings with tiles blown from roofs.
Northern Ireland was also braced for potential power cuts, with warnings to stay away from sea fronts and coastal roads due to `danger to life' from large waves and beach material being thrown by strong gusts of wind.
The north coast was battered by high winds and crashing waves as the RNLI urged the public to exercise "extreme caution" along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.
The Welcome Organisation street outreach team appealed for anyone concerned after seeing someone sleeping rough in the storm to contact them on 07894931047.
Garvagh Forest, Wallace, Stormont were among parkruns to cancel this morning's events due to "the current weather warnings".
"It's the first time we've taken the decision to cancel an event, but the safety of our participants and volunteers comes first," Garagh Forest announced on Twitter.
Colin Glen and Sixmilewater Parkruns said they were "closely monitoring the weather updates and precautionary advice" and "if safe to do so, our pre runners will check the course early" to decide if it will go ahead.
In the Republic, a severe weather warning from Met Éireann is in place in Donegal, Mayo and Sligo.
