A coach carrying 70 Dundee University students was struck by a falling tree near St Andrews as Storm Ali battered Fife.
Amazingly, the driver and all but one of the students escaped injury after falling branches mangled the top of the coach.
The accident happened at Kincaple Farm Cottages, just east of Guardbridge, at around 12.45pm, when the students were on their way to a football tournament hosted by St Andrews University.
Fishers Tours, which was operating the coach, confirmed that a student required stitches, and that this was done at the scene by a paramedic.
Company director Jim Cosgrove said: “The driver was a bit shaken obviously. One passenger had to get stitches on the scene by a paramedic, but the other 69 were OK.”
Mr Cosgrove said the coach was a write off but the driver stayed on to continue his day’s work.
“He got a fright but he was alright,” he added.
It is understood the students were on their way to the University of St Andrews Football Club Varsity 2018.
Mr Cosgrove said they managed to make it to the event despite their ordeal and would be picked up by Fishers Tours later on.
A spokesman for Dundee University said: “We can confirm that a coach carrying students representing the university’s football teams was damaged by a tree while travelling to St Andrews.
“One person was treated at the scene by paramedics for a minor head injury before continuing with the rest of the party to their destination to fulfil their fixtures.”
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At Fair Isle Primary School in Kirkcaldy, children were thankfully inside when a tree blew over and damaged play equipment.
The school asked parents to ensure their children kept away from the area until it was cleared.
As you can see a tree has fallen in our playground and damaged the trim trail. Luckily all children were inside when this happened. We ask parents to ensure their child does not go near this area tomorrow morning for health and safety reasons. We appreciate your support in this. pic.twitter.com/5q7dc8WqoE
— Fair Isle Primary School (@FairIslePS) September 19, 2018
A marquee put up for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which will be taking place at the Old Course in St Andrews, was ripped apart by the wind.
Storm Ali tore away tents down at Old Course St Andrews this lunchtime, I managed to capture it pic.twitter.com/zkeah9Ivj0
— Neil C Dobson (@Neil_at_rovarch) September 19, 2018
The Alfred Dunhill Links said it was confident the damage would not have an impact on the event, which takes place from October 4 to 7.
Storm Ali damage in St Andrews…The most important thing is that no one was hurt. We’re quite used to rough weather in Scotland, but this was exceptional. We’re assessing the situation, but confident that all will be up and running for the @dunhilllinks
— Alfred Dunhill Links (@dunhilllinks) September 19, 2018
Fife was battered by winds of nearly 80mph as Storm Ali made its presence felt.
By midday the Forth Road Bridge, which has been reserved for public transport since the Queensferry Crossing opened in August last year, was closed to all vehicles and pedestrians because wind speeds had exceeded 65mph.
*UPDATE* 12:12⌚#A9000 Forth Road Bridge – ⛔CLOSED⛔ completely to all vehicles & pedestrians. #M90 Queensferry Crossing is now closed to high sided vehicles and double decker buses. All other vehicles can cross but please #TakeCare ❤️@TheForthBridges https://t.co/ZiVn2TRLd2
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) September 19, 2018
Winds of nearly 80mph were recorded on the Queensferry Crossing.
High sided vehicles and motorcycles were prevented from using the bridge, which has been fitted with windshielding and can carry low vehicles until winds exceed 100mph.
At around 4pm the bridge was reopened to all vehicles except double decker buses.
Near Kinghorn, a static caravan was blown over and was perched precariously on a verge above the road.
The incident occurred at the Pettycur Bay Holiday Park, on the A921 between Kinghorn and Burntisland.
A hay bale was also reported on the A921 between Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy.
Several roads were also reported to be blocked by fallen trees including the B923 between Kinghorn and Burntisland, the road between Falkland and Strathmiglo and Hill Road, Ballingry.
Stagecoach East Scotland advised travellers that its 94A services would be diverted via Lindores because of a fallen tree between Auchtermuchty and Den of Lindores.
There was also a report of a tree down between Carnock and Oakley.
Due to the high winds there has been a tree blown over on the road between Carnock and Oakley. Please give extra time for traveling.
— Stagecoach East Scot (@StagecoachEScot) September 19, 2018
By afternoon, rail services were also disrupted after trees and other debris fell onto the track.
ScotRail said services between Edinburgh and Fife would be subject to cancellations until 8pm.
The rail operator said: “Storm Ali is having a severe impact on Scotland’s railway infrastructure, particularly in the central belt.
“The storm has caused major line blockages, for example a number of trees have fallen onto the line, and overheard wires have been damaged. This has resulted in the suspension of a number of our routes.
“Network Rail engineers are working flat out to get things back to normal, and ScotRail is doing everything it can to keep people moving.
“But services will be severely impacted for the rest of the day.”
Heavy rain meant that as the morning went on, roads across the region started to flood.
Serious flooding at Urquhart farm on Dunfermline/ Crossford road. Worst coming from Crossford as your on it before you know.
— Fife Jammer (@FifeJL) September 19, 2018
Flooding was reported at a number of locations, including on the A944 road between Dunfermline and Crossford, and there was a power cut in Springfield.
As the weather worsened, Fife tourist attractions were closed to the public.
St Rule’s Tower at St Andrews Cathedral was among several Historic Environment Scotland sites affected by closures.
The Scottish Deer Centre in Cupar initially shut off its woodland areas but was later forced to close completely after suffering a power cut.
Muddy Boots at Balmalcolm also closed because of a power cut.
