LONDON – A British pensioner is feared to have collapsed in her garden and frozen to death, police said yesterday.
Officers discovered the body of Lillian Jenkinson (80), in her back garden in Workington, Cumbria, at 10.40am on Thursday.
An elderly man was found dead in his garden in Kirby Stephen, Cumbria, on Wednesday. It is not yet known how long he lay there.
Yesterday, detectives said Ms Jenkinson might have fallen in her garden and spent the night in freezing conditions before her body was discovered.
Asst chief constable Jerry Graham said: “Two elderly people have tragically died in their gardens in the last week and we know they were closely supported by family and neighbours. However, not everyone has that support. So I would ask everyone to keep an eye out for vulnerable people in their community, particularly those who are elderly and live alone.”
Across Europe, the death toll rose to at least 40 as the Arctic freeze held its grip. Road and rail travel was hard hit.
Southeastern Europe was spared the snow and ice – but was instead struggling with some of the worst flooding in a century.
Entire villages in Montenegro were submerged by the rising waters, with interior minister Ivan Brajovic describing the floods as “unprecedented.” The number of people in Europe who have died of exposure in recent days has risen to at least 40. – (PA, Reuters)