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BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Kielland families welcome Norway rig deaths compensation
Families of British workers killed in an oil rig disaster 45 years ago have welcomed the Norwegian government's decision to pay them than 120 people died, including 22 Brits, when the Alexander Kielland floating platform capsized in the Norwegian North Sea oil fields on 27 March relatives were in Oslo to see the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, agree by a narrow margin to pay compensation to survivors and the families of the Fleming, whose father was one of those killed, said the agreement was long overdue recognition of the Norwegian state's failings. Ms Fleming, from Durham, previously said there were unanswered questions about the disaster, which killed her father Michael and five of his compatriots from the Cumbrian village of Cleator compensation motion had been opposed by the government but passed through the Storting by 53 votes to 51. Ms Fleming, who was six when her 37-year-old dad died, said: "It's only right the Norwegian government have eventually done the right thing and agreed to pay a tiny amount of their wealth to the people that unwillingly and unwittingly sacrificed their lives."This feels likes a weight has been lifted of our shoulders."She praised the Kielland Network, a campaign group set up by survivors and families of the deceased to call for justice."People have given years of their lives to this cause and we are very grateful for the work that has been done," Ms Fleming said. Among the 40 members of the Kielland Network who attended the vote in central Oslo, there was a great deal of sadness that the group's founder, Kian Reme, was not there with Reme, whose brother Rolf was killed in the disaster, died in 2024 from cancer."He was the reason we got this far," Ms Fleming said, adding: "He was a man with strength of fight but also full of peace and forgiveness."He'd be so happy if he were here, but I'm sure he's up there proudly looking down at what everyone has continued to achieve." Tara Pender, who lives near Nottingham, was with Ms Fleming in Oslo to see the vote Pender, who was 13 when her 41-year-old father PJ Pender was killed, also paid tribute to Mr Reme."It's such a shame Kian is not here," she said, adding: "He was amazing and worked tirelessly on this for so many years."She said the result was "very bittersweet" as many relatives and survivors had died before they got the recognition of failings from the Norwegian government they had craved."It's just been such a long time coming," Ms Pender said she had spoken to several other British families of the deceased in the aftermath of the vote and they were "all delighted". The four-year-old platform was being used as accommodation for the nearby Edda rig in the Ekofisk oil field about 200 miles (320km) off the coast from Stavanger, Norway, when one of its legs broke off during a storm.A 1981 Norwegian inquiry attributed the disaster to a crack in one of the braces caused during its construction in France, but the manufacturers said it had not been maintained or anchored properly by its people received compensation at the time from the company which ran the oil rig, Phillips Petroleum, but campaigners said the Norwegian state should also accept responsibility. A University of Stavanger study published in 2025 said families and the 89 survivors were let down by official investigations, while a 2021 review by the Norwegian auditor general found "highly reprehensible" failures to hold any of the companies involved in the disaster to account, or to support families and Norwegian government apologised and funded the study to assess the impact on those government has opposed the compensation proposal put forward by a coalition of opposition parties but it passed by two votes, with further details now to be determined. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Party thrown for seven-year-old girl after beating rare cancer
Cleo Greig has been celebrating after beating a rare cancer which only five children in the UK are diagnosed with each year (Image: Submitted) A SEVEN-year-old girl has been thrown a party to celebrate beating cancer after months of intense treatment. Cleo Greig, of Cleator Moor, was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma - a rare cancer which only five children in the UK are diagnosed with each year. Over the course of her treatment, Cleo underwent seven surgical procedures, 10 blood/platelet transfusions, 35 days of chemotherapy and had 74 overnight stays in hospital. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Cleo was diagnosed in September last year and started treatment on October 4. Her final treatment was given on February 2 and she had a CT scan a few weeks later which showed she was cancer free. Cleo Greig has finished her cancer treatment and is back at school full time (Image: Submitted) She is now attending check-ups every six weeks and will be scanned every 12 weeks for the next 12 months. She will be under the care of the children's oncology team at the RVI in Newcastle until she is 18 and will need to attend annual check-ups until then. To celebrate Cleo beating cancer, her family organised a 'Cleo kicked cancer' party at Moor Row Working Men's Club, which was attended by her football team, classmates and close family and friends. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement There was entertainment from Pet Encounter and BJ's Children's entertainment, food was supplied by Begh's Buffets and Keekle Cake Company donated 'the most beautiful' cake. Cleo Greig at her party with a cake donated by Keekle Cake Company (Image: Submitted) Cleo has also enjoyed a weekend at Center Parcs and a trip to Alton Towers. Her mum, Ashleigh Greig said: 'We were over the moon to find out Cleo was cancer free, she'd been through a lot in such a short time, it was a bit surreal to think that our new 'norm' was coming to an end and we could actually return to our normal lives. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'Living through treatment took its toll on the whole family. Cleo's brother Daley stayed with his Nannie and Granda while Cleo was in hospital so he missed us a lot while we were away, we were constantly exhausted from trips to Newcastle, overnight stays and having no routine. We couldn't plan anything because we didn't know how she would be day-to-day. 'Cleo has bounced right back. She is back at school full time, she's back at football training and her hair is growing back quickly. She's always on the go, she loves playing outside with her friends. Cleo Greig at her party, with a snake from Pet Encounter (Image: Submitted) 'She was an absolute star throughout the treatment, the only time we heard her complain was when she was hungry and she wanted something extra specific. She made the experience a lot easier on us because of her strength and no nonsense attitude towards everything.' ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In March, Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC held 'A Game for Cleo' and the money was donated to Crawford House, which is run by the Sick Children's Trust. It supports families with a child being treated at the RVI by giving them a place to stay. Ashleigh said they wanted to give back following the support the family had received after Cleo's diagnosis. Thousands of pounds were donated to a GoFundMe page set up by Cleo's Godmother, Lauren Tyson. Cleo celebrated with friends, family and her football teammates (Image: Submitted) Ashleigh said: 'Being stuck on the ward is very hard, it's awful to see young children going through a horrible time but charities and ward staff go above and beyond to keep their spirits up and there's lots of fun activities provided to keep them entertained. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'It costs the charity £40 per room per night to house families of sick children, and we worked out that it would have cost just under £3,000 to house us during Cleo's treatment. 'We wanted to raise at least £5,000 to pay for a room for six months but the community went above and beyond and we managed to raise £15,000, which will pay for a room for 18 months. Wath Brow Hornets held 'A Game for Cleo' (Image: Submitted) 'We have also held other little events that have allowed us to be in a position to donate over £2,000 to Children's Cancer North - the main charity that provides the children with activities on the ward. 'We would like to thank the whole west Cumbrian community for all the donations, well wishes and amazing events that have been held in Cleo's name over the last six months. The family couldn't have gotten through it without their support. It's been overwhelming and is very much appreciated.'
