Mudslide death: Coach of girl, 10, who dreamt of being a Lioness says team ‘devastated’ by death

Published

1 month ago

May 24, 2024

admin

The football coach of a 10-year-old whose dream it was to become a Lioness has said the team is “devastated” by news of her being killed in a mudslide.

Leah Harrison died during a school field trip to Carlton Bank forest on the edge of the North York Moors, North Yorkshire.

A major operation involving 30 mountain rescuers was launched to save her, as heavy rain fell in the area, but she could not be saved.

Described as a “go-lucky little girl”, Leah was said to be “obsessed with football” and dreamed of becoming a Lioness.

Her Darlington Football Club coach John Woolnough said the team was “devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Leah”.

He said while Leah had only joined the “family” this season, she had “quickly become a popular member amongst the girls”.

“She was a joy to coach – always smiling and trying her best – and had shown big improvements during her time with us,” the coach said.

As a mark of respect, the club’s Under 11 game this weekend has been postponed.

A minute’s silence will be observed at every other youth match.

Lingfield Education Trust said Leah was a “much loved” pupil at Mount Pleasant School in Darlington.

Nick Blackburn, the trust’s chief executive, said: “The full details are still emerging but this is clearly a heartbreaking tragedy. Leah was a much loved part of our school and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the school staff.

“Counselling is being arranged within the school for pupils and staff. We are all in a state of shock and we would ask that the privacy of the family and the school community is respected while we try to come to terms with what has happened.”

Mr Blackburn said in an interview with Sky News that Leah was “obsessed with football”, who dreamed of becoming a Lioness, before describing her as “very resilient a girl, she showed real grit and determination in her life”.

Her family described Leah as a “happy, bubbly, go-lucky little girl” and said “God only takes the best”.

“The beautiful smile, the giddy laugh, the silly jokes. You will never ever be forgotten baby girl,” it continued.

“You will achieve your dream and become a player for the Lionesses, spread those wings. May you rest in paradise.”

Shared on Facebook, the family said there are plans for a “balloon release” in a local field at 4pm on Monday.

The family is being supported by specially trained police officers.

Denise McGuckin, managing director of Hartlepool Borough Council, which operates Carlton Adventure, said: “We can confirm that a tragic incident occurred during one of the centre’s instructor-led outdoor education forest walks near to Carlton-in-Cleveland yesterday.

“We are utterly devastated and heartbroken and our thoughts are with Leah’s family and friends and all those affected.

“We are working closely with our partner agencies to carry out a full investigation and we are temporarily suspending all outdoor activities and residential breaks managed by the council.

“Whilst the investigation is being carried out it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

On Wednesday, North Yorkshire Police said officers were responding to a mudslide which happened at 1.15pm in Carlton-in-Cleveland.

The force said: “We can confirm that one person has sadly died as a result of the incident. Our thoughts are with their family and friends during this difficult time.”

No one else was injured during the incident.

The scene was cordoned off throughout the afternoon and members of the public were asked to avoid the area.

UK

Four men arrested at Rishi Sunak’s North Yorkshire home

Published

6 hours ago

June 25, 2024

admin

Four men arrested at Rishi Sunak's North Yorkshire home

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass in the grounds of the prime minister’s home, police have confirmed.

The incident took place at Rishi Sunak’s constituency address in Kirby Sigston, North Yorkshire, while he was attending events in London to mark the Japanese state visit.

A police statement said officers were “with the four men within one minute of them entering the grounds”.

Politics live: Labour to return £100k donation to suspended candidate

The arrests are connected to a protest by campaigners from Youth Demand. It describes itself as a group of young people who want “the Tories and the Labour Party commit to a two-way arms embargo on Israel, and to stop all new oil and gas licences”.

A spokesperson for the group said three of those arrested were taking part in the demonstration, while the fourth person was an independent photographer.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “They were detained at around 12.40pm before being escorted off the property and arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

“The men, aged 52 from London, 43 from Bolton, 21 from Manchester, and 20 from Chichester, remain in police custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing.”

It comes after a separate incident last summer, when protesters scaled the roof of Mr Sunak’s home.

They held up banners which said “NO NEW OIL” and draped the building in fabric. It happened while the prime minister and his family were away on holiday in California.

Amy Rugg-Easey, 33, Alexandra Wilson, 32, Michael Grant, 64, and Mathieu Soete, 38, have pleaded not guilty to criminal damage, with a two-day trial set to take place in July.

UK

UK weather: Hottest day of the year as temperatures hit 30C

Published

6 hours ago

June 25, 2024

admin

UK weather: Hottest day of the year as temperatures hit 30C

Today has been the hottest day of the year so far in the UK, the Met Office has said.

A high of 30C (86F) was recorded in Chertsey, Surrey.

It is the highest temperature in the UK since 10 September last year, the weather agency said.

Winterbourne in Gloucestershire recorded a high of 28.7C, while it was 28C in Pershore, Worcestershire, and 27C in Usk, Monmouthshire.

It could get even hotter on Wednesday – some areas could experience highs of 31C (87.8F), the Met Office added.

A yellow alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is in place for most of England until 5pm on Thursday.

It has warned there could be “significant impacts” in the health and social care sector, and an increase in mortality in over-65s and people with health conditions.

See the latest weather forecast where you are

Conditions are expected to cool a little just before the weekend, but it will remain warm.

The Met Office said the hot spell could become a heatwave, which occurs when temperatures go above a set threshold – which varies between regions – for three days in a row.

Music fans heading to Glastonbury are also set for a treat.

Festival gates open on Wednesday, when temperatures at Worthy Farm are forecast to reach 27C – and the weekend is shaping up to stay largely fine too.

However, there is a chance of a bit of rain on Saturday.

The hot spell marks a break from the rainy spring, which saw 32% more rain than average in England and Wales, making it the fifth wettest for England and the eighth wettest for Wales, said the Met Office.

UK

England top group at Euro 2024 after draw against Slovenia

Published

8 hours ago

June 25, 2024

admin

England top group at Euro 2024 after draw against Slovenia

England have topped their group at the Euros after a 0-0 draw with Slovenia, meaning they avoid some of the competition’s top teams in the next round.

The result in Cologne was enough to send Gareth Southgate’s men through as winners of Group C, on Tuesday evening.

The Three Lions have come under criticism over lacklustre performances in their group games, but managed to head into the knockouts in the strongest possible position.

Their performance even drew some boos from the crowd at half-time as they limped over the line against Slovenia.

Southgate’s men suffered the same problems as previous games, but with five points, the Three Lions made it through nonetheless and will play one of the best third-place finishers from Group D, E, or F in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday at 5pm.

Netherlands finished third in Group D and have impressed at times but suffered a surprise defeat to Ralf Rangnick’s Austria, losing 3-2, Tuesday evening.

In Group E, Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine are all tied on three points, and the Czech Republic are in third place in Group F, level on points with Georgia, but above them on goal difference.

By drawing Tuesday evening, England managed to book themselves a place on the easier side of the tournament, avoiding the likes of France, Portugal, Spain and Germany.

Trent Alexander Arnold was dropped from the starting XI in favour of Conor Gallagher in the only change to England’s team – only for the Chelsea man to be unceremoniously hooked at half-time.

The game was played in 24C heat as Germany enjoys something of a mini-heatwave, but instead of proving their critics wrong, England’s players initially seemed rattled by their words.

After a slow start to the game, a rare bright spark in the first half was when Bukayo Saka finished off a well-worked movement only for Phil Foden to have strayed offside in the build up.

In the 40th minute, Captain Harry Kane and Gallagher both also missed a golden opportunity to put England ahead.

Despite that, England were largely static and uninspired throughout the game.

There wasn’t much to celebrate for England and Slovenia celebrated qualifying as one of the best third-place finishers after the game.