Global Trade

Child dies after minibus overturns on slip road

by Stephanie
written by Stephanie

A child has died after a minibus overturned on a motorway slip road, police have said.

The M4 in Berkshire was closed in both directions following the single vehicle collision on the link road from junction 10 of the motorway to the A329M near Reading at about 14:45 BST on Sunday.

The motorway reopened after about three hours but the slip road remained closed, Thames Valley Police (TVP) said just before 20:00.

The force said other passengers were seriously injured in the crash and confirmed no arrests have been made.

National Highways said earlier on Sunday that the M4 was closed eastbound, between junctions 11 and 10, and westbound, between junctions 8/9 and 11, because of a "serious injury incident involving an overturned vehicle" on the link road.

It warned of "severe" delays approaching the closures in both directions, partly because of broken down vehicles in the queues.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) confirmed it had five critical care units and six ambulances at the scene near Reading, and a spokesperson for Thames Valley Air Ambulance said it sent a helicopter and a critical care response vehicle.

Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue crews were also in attendance.

National Highways
Traffic was queueing eastbound at junction 11 following the incident

Global Trade

Teenager dies after being hit by lorry

by Christian
written by Christian

An 18-year-old pedestrian has died after he was struck by a lorry, police have said.

Officers were called to the A623 Bay Gateway, between Mellishaw Lane and Northgate, in Morecambe at 03:00 BST on Sunday.

Lancashire Police said the man, who was from Morecambe, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The force has appealed for any witnesses to come forward and has asked for any CCTV or dashcam footage.

Tech

'Dáithí's letter from Bill Clinton stopped me in my tracks'

by Jamie
written by Jamie

A young boy from Belfast has received a letter from a former US President.

Dáithí Mac Gabhann who inspired a change in Northern Ireland's organ donation rules received a silver envelope through the letterbox on Thursday.

The letter was embellished with "William Jefferson Clinton", who many will know as Bill Clinton.

Dáithí's dad, Máirtín Mac Gabhann said the letter "stopped me in my tracks… the fact someone like President Clinton took the time to write this letter is amazing".

Dáithí's Law was named after seven-year-old Belfast boy Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018.

The legislation means that most adults in Northern Ireland are now considered as potential organ donors after their death, unless they actively opt out.

PA Media
Máirtín Mac Gabhann and Dáithí outside Stormont when Dáithí's law was passed in 2023

Mr Mac Gabhann told BBC News NI it was as if fate helped Dáithí receive this letter.

"Dáithí and I were at (Belfast) City Hall to see the Secretary of State at a Good Friday Agreement event but he was running late… so we took a tour of the Freedom of the City Exhibition."

When they went to view the exhibition Mr Mac Gabhann said President Clinton and Senator George Mitchell had been a couple of the last to receive the honour, in 2018.

Dáithí also received the honour in 2023 in recognition of his campaign to raise awareness around organ donation.

"I just had a thought and I reached out to Queen's and said I've written letters out about Dáithí and everything that's happened," Mr Mac Gabhann said.

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He added that a response did come from Senator George Mitchell quickly because he had still been in Northern Ireland to respond.

But the letter from the former president was something unexpected.

"Dáithí hit a big redner, jaw on the floor… he knew this was big… he couldn't believe it… he was even getting a bit emotional about it all."

He added that it's so positive to have this letter as Dáithí is about to reach his 7th anniversary of waiting for a heart transplant.

"It gave us a much needed boost… Dáithí is stable now but this letter has saved the day for us… as he had been at hospital."

Dáithí's 7th anniversary of being on a waiting list for a heart transplant falls on 2 June.

Máirtín Mac Gabhann
The letter sent to Máirtín Mac Gabhann from President Clinton

In the letter to Dáithí, President Clinton said he was "so proud" to share the Freedom of the City honour "with someone as amazing as you".

"Keep up your great work and know that you have a big fan pulling for you in New York."

President Clinton ended the letter with one message – "Keep going!"

"It was just an amazing letter, I got a separate letter from President Clinton and he said 'Your letter took my breath away. Press on!' and that's momentous," said Mr Mac Gabhann.

Speaking about his son, Mr Mac Gabhann said it has been a long fight and journey for Dáithí but "luck has been on our side" and "the hope is what keeps you going".

He reiterated his call for those to consider joining the organ donor register and to talk about it with family and friends.

"We rely on the community, our close community, far and wide… don't forget about us. At our lowest points they (the community) have brought us up… as has President Clinton."

Business

GP surgery to remain shut over mystery illness

by Noah
written by Noah

A GP practice will remain closed until the end of the week due to ongoing safety concerns, the owners have said.

Caister Health Centre was first closed on 29 April after 16 people fell ill, and again on Tuesday as a "precautionary measure".

The practice said the fire service had worked with gas engineers from Cadent and with Anglian Water but no concerns had been identified so far.

A spokesperson for the health centre said patient appointments would be rearranged at other surgeries, and that patients would be contacted with further information.

Jonathan Knights, the practice's executive manager, said further tests would be carried out at the site in the coming days.

"We're going to engage experts in air quality to come down and try and advise us whether there's any cause for concern," he said.

"The steps we've taken so far have been precautionary measures, and so far there has been no concern found.

"But we want to make sure, for the safety of our patients and staff, that remains the case."

Mr Knights said those that fell ill had symptoms such as headaches and tiredness.

Andrew Turner/BBC
The GP practice said it had contacted other people who had visited the surgery on the day 16 people fell ill and none had similar symptoms

The building's dental practice and pharmacy, which originally opened as usual this morning, decided to close later in the day.

The GP practice urged patients to order their prescriptions over the phone or via the NHS App instead.

Emergency services were called to the practice on 29 April when four of the 16 people who fell ill took themselves to hospital.

The practice reopened the following day.

Four fire engines, two ambulances and a police car where then sent there on Tuesday afternoon after a number of staff felt slightly unwell.

Network gas operator Cadent confirmed it was called back to the site, but the gas had already been turned off after last week's incident.

Mr Knight said the building's landlord had been made aware of the issue.

Economy

Views sought on the future of Lincolnshire town

by Stella
written by Stella

People living in Immingham are being asked about their views on the future of the town.

The town council is drawing up a new town plan which will outline future developments.

It said it was a chance for residents, businesses and other local organisations to tell planners "what they would like to see".

An online survey will run for four weeks and responses will be used to develop further feedback sessions, the council said.

Results of the research will be used to develop the Immingham Forward plan.

Karen Swinburn, chair of the town council and Lady Mayor of Immingham, said: "This is your chance to tell us what you like about Immingham and where you would like to see improvements.

"We want to know what you think as your views are vital to shaping the future of the town going forward.

"The survey will take just a few minutes to complete but may have an impact on the shape of Immingham to come."

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

Innovation

Three takeaways from county council elections

by Samantha
written by Samantha

Worcestershire County Council slipped into no overall control after Thursday's election with no party having a majority of councillors.

Reform UK were the significant winners after the votes were counted as they now have 27 seats, two short of the number needed for overall control.

The big losers were the Conservatives, who went from 45 councillors to 12.

Here are three takeaways from the election:

Reform's rout of the Tories

This was the first Worcestershire election in which Reform UK won seats, 27 in total

Almost every seat in the county was affected in some way by the swing towards Reform.

Before this set of elections the relatively new party had never won a seat in the county; now it is the largest party with 27 councillors.

Twenty-six of those gains – based off the 2021 results – were from the Conservatives.

Before polling day, Reform candidates were optimistic but this result has far exceeded their expectations.

Two seats short of an overall majority, they now face a decision – form a minority administration and try to go it alone or find a partner to run the county council with.

Dead Heat

One result ended up in a dead heat in the election

The most dramatic moment of these elections came in the rural Littletons division, where the Green and Reform candidates had a dead heat – both on 889 votes.

This meant a ballot was drawn with both their names being placed into a box and one drawn at random.

Green candidate Hannah Robson's name came out, meaning she took seat from the Tories.

She acknowledged it was not the ideal way to decide a vote but "that's what we have to work with".

Good day for the Greens

The Greens now have eight seats on the council

If these elections were evidence voters were disenchanted with the two main Westminster parties, Worcestershire's Greens were the other clear winners.

The party now has eight seats on the county council, five more than in 2021.

They managed to cement their strong position in Worcester itself, with music teacher and parliamentary candidate Tor Pingree defeating the Conservative council leader Simon Geraghty.

Business

Council to debate 'ill-conceived' waste site plan

by Logan
written by Logan

A planning application for a new recycling facility near a village in Cornwall has received more than 120 objections.

Gwinear-Gwithian Parish Council will meet to discuss the plans for the wood and green waste centre at Roseworthy Hill near Connor Downs later.

"Loss of countryside, smell, contamination of nearby waterways and noise" were among the reasons cited by local residents as to why they felt it should be refused, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In a planning statement, The Green Waste Company said the new site would "greatly improve the current services".

'Immediate and safe'

The company currently has two recycling sites at Higher Brynn, near Victoria, and Splattenridden Farm, near St Erth.

The firm said: "Currently, Splattenridden receives green waste from five council-run Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) sites.

"For reasons of logistics and capacity, it is proposed that, apart from the St Erth HRWC and Penzance Town Council sources, all other waste would be sent to the proposal site at Roseworthy.

"This would greatly improve the current services provided by the Green Waste Company and, importantly, will greatly reduce miles travelled every year transporting the waste.

"The proposed site is conveniently located on low-grade agricultural land owned by the applicant.

"It has immediate and safe highway access."

'Totally irresponsible'

More than 120 people had raised concerns on Cornwall Council's online planning portal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

One objection stated the installation of a waste recycling plant was "totally irresponsible and ill-conceived."

It added: "Chemicals which develop through the waste recycling will leach through the soil spreading toxic chemicals, once this occurs the land will be destroyed for decades."

Councillor Lionel Pascoe, who represents Gwinear Gwithian and Hayle East, said the plan was "causing quite a stir in the area" but the matter had to go to a parish council decision.

Economy

Teacher reunited with Roald Dahl's opal gift

by Kelly
written by Kelly

A teacher from Australia was reunited with an opal gifted by his class to the children's author Roald Dahl more than 30 years ago.

Mark Taylor, 57, made a special trip to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, to see the precious gem while on a visit to the UK.

The world-renowned author had kept it on the desk in his writing hut at his home, Gipsy House.

He was given it by the class at Mintabie Area School in central Australia after doing a telephone link-up when he visited the country as part of his book tour promoting the recently published Matilda in 1989.

Lily-May Symonds / BBC
The opal stone is kept in the original spot on Dahl's desk in the museum

The children had been reading his books and were fascinated by the author, Mr Taylor said.

"He had a way of saying the most extraordinary and hilarious things, while remaining perfectly calm and teaching us at the same time," he added.

Mintabie, which is now an abandoned mining town, is more than 1,000km from Adelaide and a long way from facilities that other children would take for granted.

Mr Taylor said his students' faces transformed when Dahl told them how lucky they were to live in a place where treasures were dug up from the ground.

He recalled that Dahl told the class: "There could be treasures all around you, waiting to be found, and you might never know it. In fact, you could be sitting or standing on an incredible treasure now."

Mr Taylor said the author had asked if the students had ever found opal stones, to which the class responded they had.

An opal stone was duly sent to Roald Dahl via his publisher, Penguin.

Mark Taylor
Roald Dahl thanked the class for the opal stone in a letter

Steve Gardam, director of the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, said: "The opal stone has been on the writing desk of Roald Dahl since he received it in 1989 and has remained there ever since.

"In 2011, Dahl's writing hut was transferred to the Museum and is one of the key exhibits here in Great Missenden."

Global Trade

Payout for trainee nurse after fake patient claim

by Amanda
written by Amanda

A trainee nurse who was falsely accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a patient will receive compensation from her ex-employer, a tribunal has ruled.

Jessica Thorpe was suspended by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust after a patient claimed she was pregnant with his child.

Despite a disciplinary hearing not upholding the allegation against her, the suspension continued for about two years and she resigned in November 2022 – a month after being allowed to return to work.

Posting on social media, Ms Thorpe said she was "finally free". The trust said it was disappointed with the tribunal's findings.

Ms Thorpe had sued the trust for constructive unfair dismissal, unlawful deduction of wages and breach of contract.

A decision published in November by the employment tribunal showed she had won all three counts.

This week, a judge ruled the trust should pay her £23,534, which included compensation for her loss of earnings.

Social media earnings

Ms Thorpe joined the trust in 2016 as a healthcare assistant. She was promoted to nursing assistant in 2018, and in January 2020 started a four-year nursing degree apprenticeship at Sunderland University, which allowed her to continue to work.

Documents from the tribunal showed that if Ms Thorpe had not been unfairly dismissed in 2020, she would have earned about £66,500 – including pension contributions – since the end of her employment.

Since her suspension, Ms Thorpe started an Instagram and YouTube profile called Slice of Jess, in which she posted lifestyle, food and clothing content, the papers showed.

Employment Judge Sweeney said he needed to consider whether the £46,400 she made since leaving her job should be taken into account as reducing her post-dismissal losses.

Papers showed Ms Thorpe told the hearing her social media activities were a hobby and compared them to people playing golf or horse riding.

Lost job opportunity

Ms Thorpe also worked part-time as a community care assistant for about 14 months from August 2023, earning about £13,000.

The documents showed she had received a conditional offer of a job with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, but lost that opportunity when she could not provide them with documents requested.

This was because her previous employer failed to send her the appropriate papers, despite her requesting them several times and them having an obligation to do so.

The judge ruled Ms Thorpe's total losses should be considered to amount to about £19,700.

He said: "I am satisfied that [Ms Thorpe] would have continued to engage in some social media activities had she remained in employment with the [trust], albeit to a significantly reduced extent."

He added she was receiving a "good secondary income" by the time she left her employment and it was "highly unlikely" that she would have given up on it.

In a video posted last week, Ms Thorpe said: "Five years to the day that I got sent home suspended – quite poetic.

"My shoulders have dropped, my jaw has unclenched, finally I'm free."

Lynne Shaw, executive director of workforce at the trust, said although it was disappointed of the outcome, the trust respects "the findings of the tribunal and will look at what lessons can be learned".

Business

Woman dies in village crash, police say

by Megan
written by Megan

A woman has died in a crash in a village, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called to Cookgate in Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough, at about 12:37 BST following reports of a traffic collision.

The road was closed for hours but reopened later in the evening.

Cleveland Police said the woman's family had requested privacy while they grieved the loss of their loved one.

In a statement, the force said: "Our thoughts remain with the woman's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."

Teams from North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) attended along with police.