Latest news with #BenWalsh
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Fewer trash pickups, more potholes: This big city is bracing for a shaky economy
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In a city that savors its short summers, Mayor Ben Walsh is telling residents to prepare to be disappointed as millions are slashed from the community budget, affecting everything from seasonal festivals to landscaping in parks. Police won't be sending mental health counselors to 911 calls and plans for new bike lanes are being put on hold. Litter will be picked up less frequently and at least one public pool was closed after lifeguard jobs were cut.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Calls for action as holidaymaker's visit to Gourock almost ends in tragedy
A SHOCKED Gourock councillor has called for action after a holidaymaker's visit to the town almost turned into tragedy. The Tele reported last week that a tourist Ben Walsh was left dangling head first when when a seafront railing collapsed while he stopped for a holiday snap. But as the picture was being taken, the railing the couple were leaning against gave way – leaving Ben dangling head-first above a 15-foot drop. (Image: contributed) Now Councillor Ian Hellyer has vowed that the council will look again at the area to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. Read more Family screamed for help as Gourock railing collapse left man inches from tragedy Revealed: Up to 25 children in Inverclyde caught up in human trafficking Former IRH eye doctor breaks world record on mercy mission The family previously spoke of their hope that sharing their story with the Tele would prevent something similar happening again. (Image: George Munro) Councillor Hellyer said: "I've made contact with the council officers and have been given reassurance that the area at the railings have been made safe. "The council will look at this particular part of the seafront and ensure that no such incident will happen again. "They are fully engaged in a programme to ensure that the seafront railings in Gourock are maintained to ensure safety to the public at all times. "As a local councillor I will maintain a liaison with the council and ensure the safety of the public at all times." (Image: George Munro) He told the Tele that he will continue to monitor the seafront after the alarming incident. Stunned Ben Walsh, 40, was strolling along Ashton Road when he stopped with his partner Laura Taylor for a scenic photograph. But as the the couple were leaning against the barrier close to Gourock Outdoor Pool it gave way. Ben fell backwards, managing to save himself with his foot but was left dangling headfirst above a 15 foot drop. Ben, from Ratford in Nottinghamshire, was visiting Gourock with Laura, 38, and his parents Ian, 66, and Rachel, 60, on a motorbike tour of Scotland. Ben leaving Gourock with partner Laura, his dad Ian, left and mum Rachel (Image: contributed) Ian, 66, said: "We are all still in state of shock. "What is most important to us is that it never happens again. Hopefully speaking out will make the council investigate thoroughly and remedy this." (Image: contributed) Councillor Hellyer, elected last year, says that he was saddened that visitors to the town had that experience - but called on people to be careful now that there are barricades up. He added: "Gourock provides magnificent views on the seafront walkways and whilst the public are out enjoying the scenery I would ask, as always, that they take extra care especially if they see that restructuring work is taking place." In our report Inverclyde Council told the Tele that they had immediately carried out inspections in the area and cordoned off the affected section of railing.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Couple 'absolutely traumatised' after stopping for scenic seaside snap in Scotland
A couple who posed for a romantic photo nearly died - when a sea railing collapsed. Stunned Ben Walsh, 40, and girlfriend Laura Taylor, 38, were strolling along the promenade when they stopped for a scenic snap. But as the picture was being taken the railing the couple were leaning against gave way - leaving Ben dangling head-first above a 15-foot drop. Ben had to be pulled back to safety by his ankles by his terrified family. The couple took a photo afterwards showing the broken banister in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland. Shocked Ben said: "Laura went forwards and I went backwards. I fell towards the edge but somehow managed to save myself by wrapping my leg round the pole. READ MORE: Forth bridge shut and Edinburgh motorists warned in ongoing police 'incident' READ MORE: Moment Edinburgh man 'knocked out' on packed Royal Mile in front of tourists "My mum, dad and Laura were screaming for help and pulled me to safety with the help of two passers by running to help. They all somehow managed to pull me by the ankle to safety. "The lady ran down to the bottom to try to do something if I fell. The adrenalin just kicked in and I somehow survived. I can't thank the couple enough for running over and helping save my life. "But I could easily have died. I couldn't sleep that night from going over it all in my head. It was like a nightmare. We were all absolutely traumatised by it." Ben, from Retford in Nottinghamshire, was visiting Gourock with Laura, 38, and his parents Ian, 66, and Rachel, 60, on a motorbike tour of Scotland. They'd stopped off in Gourock to take in some sights before catching the ferry to Argyll. The horror fall was captured on Laura's phone as it happened. Ben added: "It had been such a lovely evening. We had travelled up from Lumley Castle, Durham that day. We are travelling round Scotland in our motorbikes. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "We were staying in a wee holiday let next to Cleats Bar. We had a fantastic meal at Cafe Continental and went for a walk along the waterfront. It was a beautiful night, and we stopped so Laura and I could get a photograph taken. We leaned back and then it all happened." Ben, a training manager with the National Grid, says he is now seriously concerned about the safety of all the barriers in the area and called for an investigation. He said: "What concerns me the most is this railing appeared to have been welded recently. So a repair must have been carried out. "It could have easily been an elderly person or a child. They might not have been so lucky. It is extremely lucky I managed to hold on and survived. "We didn't know what to do after it happened. We brought the rail back up, and we managed to find a traffic cone before we reported it. I work with health and safety every single day. This needs to be investigated." .Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Inverclyde Council immediately took action to cordon off the section of fence that gave way. A spokesperson said: "We are aware of the incident and understand the concerns that have been raised. "A programme of inspections and repairs of seafront railings is currently being carried out in the surrounding area, and more widely across Gourock, as part of our ongoing asset management responsibilities and commitment to public safety. A review is currently under way to determine the cause of the issue at this location and to ensure that any necessary follow-up actions are taken." Ben concluded: "I applaud the councils quick reaction as they barriered the area off first thing the following morning. "I saw similarly rotten, broken railings in Oban after I left Gourock. I have also read of similar things happening across the country, for example Devon. All I ask is that people are careful when they are posing for photographs this summer in similar locations. "You wouldn't expect an item which is there for your safety to be unsafe, but this proves it can happen."
Wales Online
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Seconds after this romantic picture was taken something terrifying happened
Seconds after this romantic picture was taken something terrifying happened Ben Walsh had been cuddling up to his girlfriend Laura Taylor for a photograph - neither of them had any clue what would happen next Ben Walsh and girlfriend Laura Taylor moments before disaster (Image: Ben Walsh / SWNS) Ben Walsh and Laura Taylor paused for a romantic photograph whilst taking a summer walk in Scotland. It was a brief moment on a lovely day out, but it would prove disastrous. The barrier the pair were resting against gave way, leaving Ben suspended head-first above a 15-foot plunge. His terrifying tumble was recorded on Laura's mobile as it unfolded, and the 40-year-old man had to be rescued by his panicked relatives and two courageous passers-by. Ben reflected on how he couldn't sleep that night, with the memory of the event playing over in his mind. Read here about the Oasis fan who fell to their death during one of their Wembley Stadium gigs. Ben explained: "I can't thank the couple enough for running over and helping save my life. But I could easily have died. I couldn't sleep that night from going over it all in my head." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Ben, 40 and Laura, 38, had recently struck the picturesque pose whilst they and his relatives wandered along the seafront in Gourock, Inverclyde, during a motorcycle journey around Scotland. The holidaymaker, from Retford, Nottinghamshire, had paused in Gourock to admire some scenery before boarding the ferry to Argyll during his family's excursion. Ben and Laura had gone on a trip with his parents, Ian and Rachel (Image: Ben Walsh / SWNS) Following his fall, the training manager with the National Grid, said he now harboured serious concerns about the security of all the barriers in the vicinity and has demanded an inquiry. He said: "It was like a nightmare. We were all absolutely traumatised by it. Laura went forwards and I went backwards. I fell towards the edge but somehow managed to save myself by wrapping my leg round the pole. "My mum, dad and Laura were screaming for help and pulled me to safety with the help of two passers-by running to help. They all somehow managed to pull me by the ankle to safety. The lady ran down to the bottom to try to do something if I fell. The adrenaline just kicked in and I somehow survived." Ben Walsh hanging from the cliff in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland (Image: Ben Walsh / SWNS) Following the incident, the pair photographed the damaged railing and after Ben's complaint to the council, restoration work on seafront railings in Gourock has commenced. Ben continued: "What concerns me the most is this railing appeared to have been welded recently. So a repair must have been carried out. "It could have easily been an elderly person or a child. They might not have been so lucky. It is extremely lucky I managed to hold on and survived. "We didn't know what to do after it happened. We brought the rail back up, and we managed to find a traffic cone before we reported it. I work with health and safety every single day. This needs to be investigated. He continued: "I applaud the councils quick reaction as they barriered the area off first thing the following morning. I saw similarly rotten, broken railings in Oban after I left Gourock. I have also read of similar things happening across the country, for example Devon. "All I ask is that people are careful when they are posing for photographs this summer in similar locations. You wouldn't expect an item which is there for your safety to be unsafe, but this proves it can happen." The collapsed railing in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland. (Image: Ben Walsh / SWNS) A representative for Inverclyde Council, which has had no overall political control since the Lib Dems' loss in 2007, stated: "We are aware of the incident and understand the concerns that have been raised. "A programme of inspections and repairs of seafront railings is currently being carried out in the surrounding area, and more widely across Gourock, as part of our ongoing asset management responsibilities and commitment to public safety. "A review is currently underway to determine the cause of the issue at this location and to ensure that any necessary follow-up actions are taken." Article continues below
Daily Mail
05-08-2025
- Daily Mail
I posed for a romantic snap with my girlfriend - seconds later I was dangling head-first above a 15-foot drop and nearly died
A couple who posed for a romantic photo by the seaside have revealed how they nearly died mere seconds later when the railing collapsed. Ben Walsh, 40, from Retford in Nottinghamshire, and girlfriend Laura Taylor, 38, were strolling along the promenade in Gourock in Renfrew, near Glasgow when they stopped for a scenic snap. But as the picture was being taken, the railing the couple were leaning against gave way - leaving Ben dangling head-first above a 15-foot drop. Ben had to be pulled back to safety by his ankles by his terrified parents Ian, 66, and Rachel, 60, and luckily passersby ran to his aid. The couple took a photo afterwards showing the broken banister by the Scottish seaside. Ben has now recalled the 'nightmare' experience, adding that everyone present felt 'traumatised' by it. He said: 'Laura went forwards and I went backwards. I fell towards the edge but somehow managed to save myself by wrapping my leg round the pole. 'My mum, dad and Laura were screaming for help and pulled me to safety with the help of two passers by running to help. 'They all somehow managed to pull me by the ankle to safety. 'One lady ran down to the bottom to try to do something if I fell. The adrenalin just kicked in and I somehow survived. 'I can't thank the couple enough for running over and helping save my life. 'But I could easily have died. I couldn't sleep that night from going over it all in my head. 'It was like a nightmare. We were all absolutely traumatised by it.' Ben, Laura, and his parents Ian, and Rachel, were visiting Gourock on a motorbike tour of Scotland. They'd stopped off in Gourock to take in some sights before catching the ferry to Argyll. The horror fall was captured on Laura's phone as it happened. Ben added: 'It had been such a lovely evening. We had travelled up from Lumley Castle in Durham that day. We are travelling around Scotland in our motorbikes. 'We were staying in a wee holiday let next to Cleats Bar. We had a fantastic meal at Café Continental and went for a walk along the waterfront. 'It was a beautiful night, and we stopped so Laura and I could get a photograph taken. We leaned back and then it all happened.' Ben, a training manager with the National Grid, says he is now seriously concerned about the safety of all the barriers in the area and called for an investigation. He said: 'What concerns me the most is this railing appeared to have been welded recently. So a repair must have been carried out. 'It could have easily been an elderly person or a child. They might not have been so lucky. 'It is extremely lucky I managed to hold on and survived. 'We didn't know what to do after it happened. We brought the rail back up, and we managed to find a traffic cone before we reported it. 'I work with health and safety every single day. This needs to be investigated.' Inverclyde Council immediately took action to cordon off the section of fence that gave way. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the incident and understand the concerns that have been raised. 'A programme of inspections and repairs of seafront railings is currently being carried out in the surrounding area, and more widely across Gourock, as part of our ongoing asset management responsibilities and commitment to public safety. 'A review is currently under way to determine the cause of the issue at this location and to ensure that any necessary follow-up actions are taken.' Ben concluded: 'I applaud the councils quick reaction as they barriered the area off first thing the following morning. 'I saw similarly rotten, broken railings in Oban after I left Gourock. I have also read of similar things happening across the country, for example Devon. 'All I ask is that people are careful when they are posing for photographs this summer in similar locations. 'You wouldn't expect an item which is there for your safety to be unsafe, but this proves it can happen.'
