Severe storms batter northwestern Europe, 11 dead

LONDON (AFP) - Severe storms packing hurricane-force winds battered northwest Europe, killing at least 11 people and triggering a dramatic air-sea rescue from a sinking cargo ship in the English Channel.

The storm brought torrential rains and winds gusting at close to 170 kilometers per hour (105 mph) to areas of southern Britain, as well as northern France, the Netherlands and Germany, causing widespread transport chaos.

Falling trees and pylons claimed the lives of seven motorists, including the managing director of central England's Birmingham airport, Richard Heard, who was killed when a branch fell on his car as he was driving to work.

Two drivers were killed in England, two in the Netherlands, one in France and one in Germany.

In Munich, an 18-month-old baby was crushed to death by a door that was torn off its hinges, while a 73-year-old man was killed after a barn door fell on him in Bavaria.