Royal Botanic Garden curator killed by falling tree during Storm Boelo

LONDON, Oct 26 (OPA) — Police Scotland confirmed the death of Richard Baines, who was walking near his home when the incident occurred. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which operates the Logan site, announced the loss of their curator, describing the event as a tragic accident amid severe weather conditions.

Storm Boelo produced wind gusts reaching 60-70mph across northern Britain, with extreme speeds of 85mph recorded in Machrihanish on the west coast of Scotland. A second fatality was reported in Mill Hill, north London, where a man in his 20s died after a tree fell onto his vehicle.

Baines was a prominent figure in horticulture, credited with leading significant sustainability initiatives at Logan, including the installation of the U.K.'s first green-energy-powered public conservatory. Under his leadership, the garden earned 5-star status from VisitScotland and was recognized as the 'Best Garden in the U.K.' by Which in 2021.

Beyond his administrative contributions, Baines was noted for his fieldwork in China, the Canary Islands, and Vietnam. His research led to the discovery of seven plant species currently being documented for scientific publication. Authorities continue to monitor the aftermath of the storm as recovery efforts proceed in affected regions.