Virgin Plane Drama Pilot 'Just Doing Job'

Arrests Over Deaths Linked To Bad Drugs Batch

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 03 Januari 2015 | 12.25

Three men have been arrested by police investigating a series of suspected drugs-related deaths in Suffolk.

They were held after the recent deaths of two young men in Ipswich on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, which are thought to be related to a "dangerous batch" of ecstasy tablets.

The death of a third man in Rendlesham is also under investigation, and it emerged on Friday that the death of a fourth man in Telford, Shropshire, was also being linked to the drugs.

The three arrested men - aged 19, 20 and 26 - are all from Ipswich and were detained on Friday on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

The drugs linked to the deaths in Suffolk have been described as red and triangular with a Superman 'S' logo.

Police in Shropshire said they were not officially linking the death of the 27-year-old man in Telford on New Year's Day with the fatalities in Suffolk, but admitted there "appear to be similarities".

One of the men thought to have died from taking an ecstasy pill linked to the "dangerous" Suffolk batch has been named as 20-year-old labourer John Hocking.

The girlfriend of another man, Lithuanian Gediminas Kulokas, has told how she fought to save his life after he stopped breathing on New Year's Day, his 24th birthday.

Natasha Mumby told how she had checked on him in their lounge during the night and found him "breathing in a funny way" at the flat they shared in Provan Court, Ipswich.

"I propped him up and went back to bed. I then came back in the lounge because he was not making the breathing noise any more. He was just sitting there not breathing."

Another man from the same address, also thought to be from Lithuania, was in hospital in a serious condition, but is said to be "improving".

The death of the third man, Justas Ropas, in Ipswich on 24 December could also be linked to the drug, according to officers.

Mr Ropas was a 22-year-old machine operator.

Suffolk Police have drawn a link between these latest drugs and dangerous pills with a similar appearance found in the Netherlands last month.

The tablets in the Netherlands had a large concentration of PMMA, which acts more slowly than ecstasy's MDMA.

This means people take more pills because they think they are not working.

Following the three deaths in Suffolk, police appealed for people to hand the drugs in at a police station, A&E department or fire station.

Officers promised those surrendering the drugs would not face prosecution and that they simply wanted to remove them from circulation.

12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Convicted Rapist Ched Evans Offered Contract

Former Sheffield United and Wales striker Ched Evans has been offered a route back into football - in Malta.

The 26-year-old convicted rapist had an offer to train with League One United withdrawn in November following strong local opposition.

Other English clubs including Tranmere and Oldham have also rejected the chance to sign him.

However, Maltese side Hibernians FC, who are top of the country's domestic league, say they have made an offer to Evans for the remainder of the season.

The club's technical director, Jeffrey Farrugia, told Sky News his rape conviction would not be a problem for them.

"He paid for what he did so for us it is not an issue," he said.

"We'll open the doors for him to come over here and start his career again in international football."

Mr Farrugia, who described Evans as a "glorious player", said it would be a great opportunity for him to showcase his skills.

"It will be good for him to come to Malta and pay at least 26 games," he said. "Many clubs I am sure will go for him."

Evans is keen to resume his playing career after being released from prison in October.

He served two-and-a-half years of a five-year sentence after being found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2011. He claimed she had agreed to have sex.

He was initially given permission by Sheffield United to train with them at the request of players' union, the Professional Footballers Association.

But following a backlash from supporters, sponsors and patrons, including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill, the club changed their mind.

Ennis-Hill, who comes from Sheffield and has a stand named after her, said: "I believe being a role model to young people is a huge honour and those in positions of influence should respect the role they play in young people's lives.

"If Evans was to be re-signed by the club it would completely contradict these beliefs."

12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three Dead Amid Fears Of Bad Ecstasy Batch

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 02 Januari 2015 | 12.26

Three people have died and one person is in hospital as police warn of a "dangerous batch of drugs" - believed to be ecstasy.

A man in his 20s died on Thursday morning after being found seriously unwell in Rendlesham, Suffolk.

He received treatment at the property on Chestnut Close but could not be saved.

Two and a half hours later, at 9.40am, ambulance crews treated two more men at Provan Court, Ipswich.

One died at the scene, the other was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The second dead man is also thought to be in his 20s.

Police are linking them to another suspected drugs-related death in Ipswich on Christmas Eve.

Chief Inspector Steve Denham told Sky News: "It's too soon to definitively link [all] the cases but we believe three of the young men have taken a tablet which they believed to be ecstasy.

"Three of them describe a red triangular pill with a Superman 'S' symbol embossed on the front.

"We're really concerned there's a batch of those pills."

He added: "If you have been offered drugs in the Ipswich area over the past few weeks, in particular ecstasy, we'd urge you to contact us with any information so that we can find those responsible and remove these dangerous drugs from the streets."

Chief Inspector Denham said the man taken to hospital was "thankfully doing better now".

Officers have drawn a link between the drugs and dangerous pills with a similar appearance sold in the Netherlands last month.

Those tablets had a large concentration of PMMA, which acts more slowly than MDMA, the main component of ecstasy.

This causes people to take more pills because they think they are not working.

PMMA can cause high body temperature and an increased heart rate.

12.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rail Fares: Anger Over New Year Price Hike

Commuters face rail fare rises by an average of 2.2%, with the latest annual increase meaning some fares have increased over 20% in the last five years.

Although the average increase is the lowest average rise for five years, the rise for regulated fares, including season tickets, will be up to 2.5%.

The rise - announced by rail industry body the Rail Delivery Group - will see more rail passengers than ever before paying £5,000 for season tickets.

While the hike is limited to a maximum of 2.5%, unregulated fares, such as off-peak leisure tickets, can go up by as much as the train companies decide.

It follows weeks of disruption to rush-hour services with problems for travellers compounded by over-running festive engineering work.

Last Saturday's chaos caused King's Cross and Paddington stations in London to close and resulted in Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne announcing he would forego his bonus.

Rail Delivery Group director general Michael Roberts said: "At 2.2%, the average increase in fares in 2015 is the lowest for five years. We understand no one likes to pay more, especially to go to work.

"For every £1 spent on fares, 97p goes on track, train, staff and other costs while 3p goes in profits earned by train companies for running services on Europe's fastest growing railway."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "We are investing in the biggest rail modernisation since the Victorian era and fares have a crucial role to play in funding these improvements. This is because building better infrastructure helps create jobs, building a stronger economy for us all."

But campaign groups and trade unions say the latest annual rise in fares far outstrip the rises in wages and that Britons pay some of the highest rail fares in Europe.

Those commuting to London from Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, for example, are from today having to pay 2.43% more, with their 2015 ticket going up to £4,888.

According to the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT), the cost of a Milton Keynes season ticket has risen 23.5%, or £930, since January 2010 and is one of a number of fares that have increased around four times more than average wages over this five-year period.

The CBT also highlighted the cost of a Newcastle to Middlesbrough season ticket, which will be £2,324 from today and which has risen 26.3% since January 2010.

According to TUC figures, UK commuters spend more than twice as much of their salary on rail fares than some European passengers.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "This year's fare hike will hit passengers particularly hard because wages are rising so slowly.

"Rail fares are now consuming a huge proportion of people's wages, leaving precious little for other bread and butter expenses. On average passengers are now paying £600 more for a season ticket and yet seeing no change in their pay packets."

12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sheffield Man Dies After Christmas Robbery

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 01 Januari 2015 | 12.25

A vulnerable 61-year-old man has died after being barged to the ground during a robbery at his Sheffield home on Christmas Day.

Police believe the victim, named locally as Stephen Starkey, was assaulted by a man who targeted his house in "broad daylight" and stole a PlayStation 3 and cash.

Neighbour Derek Wilkinson said Mr Starkey had turned up at his house to raise the alarm after the attacker pushed him over.

He described the retired caretaker as a "smashing fella" and a "very big friend of mine".

Mr Wilkinson said: "This bloke had come and knocked him down in the doorway and pinched his things off him.

"He come over to me and we rung for ambulances and police and things like that.

"He was very shook up. He'd done his shoulder, cracked his shoulder, I think, and they'd knocked him about."

The neighbour said Mr Starkey had lived alone for 30 years and had been attacked in a similar incident earlier this year.

Police described him as vulnerable and other neighbours said he was frail and in poor health.

Two men - aged 37 and 40 - have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The younger man has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "At around 10.30am on Thursday December 25, a 61-year-old man was inside his home in Reney Crescent, Lowedges, when he answered a knock at his door.

"An unknown man is reported to have entered the property, assaulting the 61-year-old and taking a PlayStation 3 and cash before fleeing the scene.

"The 61-year-old was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries where he later died."

12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Millions Across UK Welcome 2015 With A Bang

Millions of people around the UK have celebrated the arrival of 2015, including with spectacular fireworks displays in London and Edinburgh.

In the capital, hundreds of thousands of people lined the River Thames for an 11-minute display timed to the midnight bongs of Big Ben.

The show featured a commemoration of the WW1 centenary, with bursts of red fireworks representing poppies and the world's highest ever New Year countdown beamed from the Shard.

Tickets were introduced for the first time for the event on the South Bank, with numbers kept to 100,000.

They were first made available to the public in September, with a staggered release to ensure multiple opportunities to secure a place on the night.

The scheme was brought in following consultation with the Metropolitan Police, emergency services, and local authorities, to help manage crowd numbers which have been growing each year - with 500,000 flooding the streets last year.

London mayor Boris Johnson said on Twitter: "London's dazzling fireworks were a wonderful way to welcome in the new year. Thanks to all who made it such a safe & fun event."

Emergency services braced themselves for a busy night, with London Ambulance Service expecting up to 600 calls an hour, operations director Jason Killens said on Twitter.

He said: "Over 100 emergency calls in the first 15 minutes since midnight - its getting busy this London NYE."

Scotland Yard said officers had made 54 arrests by around 2am, with the majority for alcohol-related offences, while Greater Manchester Police said nine people had been arrested at the city's main New Year event.

Up to 75,000 revellers packed into Edinburgh's streets for Hogmanay, one of Europe's biggest New Year's celebrations.

Lily Allen was the headline act at the Concert In The Gardens, with Soul II Soul and Twin Atlantic among acts performing on five live stages throughout the city.

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Gallery: New Year Celebrations Across UK

Fireworks explode around the London Eye on the South Bank as the New Year is ushered in

This year was the first year the fireworks show on the South Bank was ticketed, with 100,000 tickets sold

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12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ebola Nurse Could Be Given Blood From Survivor

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 31 Desember 2014 | 12.25

A nurse being treated for Ebola at a London hospital could be given blood donations from survivor Will Pooley to overcome the deadly virus.

Pauline Cafferkey fell ill after returning from Sierra Leone and is the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the UK.

She was initially treated at a Glasgow hospital after reporting symptoms on Monday morning, before being transferred to a specialist unit at the Royal Free Hospital on Tuesday.

Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said the experimental drug ZMapp, which was used to treat Mr Pooley, is not available at the moment.

But she added that another option could be available: "We do have available a small amount of convalescent plasma.

"Will Pooley gave a donation of the plasma and the theory is as we fight off infections we make antibodies and if you harvest the plasma you got a source of antibodies that you can put in to someone and you'd expect it to work."

Ms Cafferkey is in a stable condition and the risk to the general public is said to be very low.

She travelled home via Casablanca and London Heathrow, spending around six hours in each airport before catching connecting flights.

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Gallery: Ebola Patient's Route To Glasgow

Freetown, Sierra Leone to Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca to Heathrow, UK

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Virgin Plane Drama Pilot 'Just Doing Job'

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The pilot who successfully landed a Virgin Atlantic jet at Gatwick Airport after a major landing gear fault has said he was just doing his job.

In a statement issued as his relieved passengers from the flight landed safely in Las Vegas, David Williams praised colleagues and said any of the airline's pilots would have done the same thing.

He said: "Clearly this was an out of the ordinary landing, but I was just doing my job and any one of our pilots would have taken the same actions.

"I'm really proud of my colleagues on the ground and in the air and the support they gave me during this event - everyone worked really hard in a difficult situation and we are delighted that our customers were able to travel to Las Vegas the next day for their New Year's Eve celebrations."

Virgin Atlantic said Mr Williams had been keen to stay out of the media spotlight over the last 24 hours, and the pilot added he was "keen to spend some private time with my family over the new year".

A specially scheduled flight meant most of the 447 passengers continued their journey on Tuesday after Monday's flight suffered a major landing-gear fault which forced it to return to Gatwick.

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Gallery: Virgin Plane's Non-Standard Landing

Passengers were able to get off via the stairs, but airport authorities said there had been a few minor injuries

Duncan Ogilvie took this photo at the scene

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A shot taken from the plane of the emergency services on the runway at Gatwick

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The Virgin jumbo came down safely after its "non standard landing" caused by a problem with its landing gear

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The jet had to turn back shortly after take off and spent several hours circling over Sussex

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Virgin Atlantic confirmed the flight took off at 11:15am (GMT) on Tuesday, and landed safely at McCarran International Airport Las Vegas at 20:59 GMT.

A spokeswoman for the airline said: "The majority of people did choose to fly - about 95% did.

"Some didn't for various reasons, but I think the majority did choose to fly.

"About 13 of the passengers went on holiday as crew companions and obviously that original crew weren't travelling any more."

The spokeswoman said it was standard procedure for a new crew to operate a flight if there is an incident or delay on board.

Passengers applauded with relief after their stricken Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet landed safely at the West Sussex airport on Monday, and praised the aircraft's pilot.

Travellers, who had been told adopt the brace position, spoke of a "textbook landing" and praised the calmness of the crew who landed the plane safely despite one of its five sets of landing gear not deploying.

Sir Richard Branson added his thanks, writing on Twitter: "Well done Virgin Atlantic pilots & team for safe & skillful landing of VS43.

"Thoughts with passengers & crew, thanks for support & patience."

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Written By Unknown on Selasa, 30 Desember 2014 | 12.25

Virgin Plane's 'Non-Standard' Landing On Video

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Pilots have pulled off an emergency landing in a Virgin jet that developed a landing gear problem and was forced to circle over the UK for four hours.

Video showed smoke spraying up as the wheels touched down in what passengers - who were in the brace position - have called a "textbook" landing.

The jet appeared to be expertly piloted and there was only a slight bounce as the jumbo hit the runway to the applause of more than 450 people on board.

One of the four sets of main wheels had failed to fully come down in what Virgin called a "technical issue with one of the landing gears".

A Gatwick spokesman said some passengers had suffered minor injuries. The runway has now reopened but delays are expected.

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Gallery: Virgin Plane's Non-Standard Landing

Passengers were able to get off via the stairs, but airport authorities said there had been a few minor injuries

Duncan Ogilvie took this photo at the scene

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A shot taken from the plane of the emergency services on the runway at Gatwick

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The Virgin jumbo came down safely after its "non standard landing" caused by a problem with its landing gear

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The jet had to turn back shortly after take off and spent several hours circling over Sussex

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The Boeing 747 appeared to be in a holding pattern over the East Sussex coast and was in the air for four hours as pilots prepared for the landing.

Passenger Mike Kaufman said the touchdown had been "textbook" and that people were calm, but that passengers had to brace in case of a heavy impact.

Another passenger, Holly Jackson, said they could see the plane spraying out fuel in preparation for the landing.

She also said the pilot was "bouncing" the plane" to try to dislodge the partially-deployed landing gear.

Experts said dumping fuel was a strategy to make the plane lighter and reduce the risk of the remaining landing gear collapsing on impact.

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder, tweeted: "Well done @VirginAtlantic pilots & team for safe & skillful landing of #VS43. Thoughts with passengers & crew, thanks for support & patience"

The plane is also reported to have flown low at low altitude near Southampton airport.

Mr Kaufman said the pilot had told passengers it was so the landing gear could be inspected by people on the ground with binoculars.

Flight VS43 had taken off at 11.44am from Gatwick and was heading to Las Vegas in the US.

Twitter users reported seeing emergency vehicles rushing to the West Sussex airport.

A tweet by the airport described it as "standard procedure" and "purely as a precaution."

Flight tracking websites showed the aircraft made it to the Bristol Channel area before it turned back.

Fire trucks were on stand by as the aircraft came in and Virgin checked the plane before letting passengers get off using the stairs.

A statement by Virgin Atlantic boss Craig Kreeger, said: "We will make sure they are well looked after this evening, and will be operating a special flight tomorrow for everyone who would like to continue their journey."

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Written By Unknown on Senin, 29 Desember 2014 | 12.25

Police have launched a murder investigation after the body of a 51-year-old man was found in Bath city centre on Christmas Eve.

A member of the public discovered Thomas Downey under a railway arch on Lower Bristol Road, near Bath railway station just after 1.30pm on Wednesday.

The area was cordoned off and a detailed search of the area continues.

A post mortem examination has been carried out and confirmed that Mr Downey died from significant head injuries.

His family have travelled down from Manchester and are helping investigating officers with the inquiry.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "They are being supported by a police family liaison officer and our thoughts are with them at this sad time."

Mr Downey is known locally as "Manchester Tommy".

Officers have urged anyone with information to share it with police to help them piece together what happened on Christmas Eve.

Two men in their thirties have been arrested on suspicion of murder and continue to be questioned.

The spokesman added: "The neighbourhood policing team are working with the local community to provide support and reassurance and to assist with the investigation.

"However, we are still keen to speak to anyone who was in the area near to the station in Lower Bristol Road around lunchtime on Christmas Eve.

"We believe the area would have been busy with shoppers and people leaving work early."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crime Investigation Team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

King's Cross Station Hit By More Problems

London's King's Cross station was hit by more problems today as an investigation was launched into disruption caused by overrunning engineering work.

A number of trains out of King's Cross were cancelled and other services delayed after a signalling failure this afternoon.

The failure meant that some Great Northern services from the station were cancelled, while incoming trains ended their journeys at Finsbury Park.

A Great Northern spokeswoman said: "At approximately 13.30 this afternoon signalling problems were experienced in the Finsbury Park area, resulting in no trains being able to run in and out of London King's Cross.

"Several trains terminated at Finsbury Park and Welwyn Garden City. Rail replacement buses were organised for passengers to transport them across to the Thameslink route, where ticket acceptance was in place.

"Signalling was restored at 14.15. Customers may have been affected by residual delays of up to 60 minutes whilst the service recovered.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience that Great Northern's customers may have experienced."

Today's problems follow major disruption yesterday when King's Cross and Paddington stations were closed because engineering works ran over schedule.

Both stations have since reopened and services from Paddington were running as planned, a Network Rail spokeswoman said.

Network Rail's Robin Gisby, managing director of network operations, apologised for yesterday's disruption which led to extra police being brought in to control crowds.

"I'm deeply sorry for the delays, upset and upheaval caused... to passengers impacted by our overrunning improvement work outside King's Cross," he said.

"We've had an army of 11,000 engineers out over Christmas Day and Boxing Day at 2,000 locations nationwide.

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Gallery: Travel Chaos Hits London

This was the scene at Finsbury Park station

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12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

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Arrests Over Deaths Linked To Bad Drugs Batch

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