Royal Gardener Richard Baines Killed by Falling Tree During Storm Boelo
The curator of Logan Botanic Garden died after being struck by a tree in gale-force winds.
Richard Baines, the curator of Logan Botanic Garden, has died after being hit by a falling tree during Storm Boelo on Sunday. The 60-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene in Dumfries and Galloway after gale-force winds battered northern parts of Britain.
Police Scotland announced Baines' death on Monday. The Logan Botanic Garden, part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, described Baines as a victim of a "tragic accident." The garden is known as Scotland's most exotic garden.
David Knott, director of horticulture, stated that Baines was primarily responsible for significant developments at Logan, including the U.K.'s first 'all green' public conservatory powered by green energy. Under his tenure, Logan received accolades such as 'Best Garden in the U.K.' by Which in 2021, Scotland's first gold for Green Business Tourism award, and was awarded 5 Star status by VisitScotland. Knott added that Baines would be remembered for his passion for plants, his expansion of the garden's collection, and his fieldwork in China, the Canary Islands, and Vietnam, which led to the publication of seven new plant species.
Storm Boelo brought gusts of 60-70 mph to northern Britain, with wind speeds reaching 85 mph in Machrihanish on the west coast. A second death was reported on Sunday when a man in his 20s died in Mill Hill, north London, after his car was struck by a falling tree.