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The Courier
2 days ago
- General
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Xplore Dundee faces public inquiry over disabled access on buses
Bus operator Xplore Dundee is facing a public inquiry over disabled access on its vehicles. The bus operator will be questioned by the traffic commissioner at a hearing after wheelchair user Paula Cahill, from Dundee, twice claimed she faced issues accessing the Fly service to and from Edinburgh Airport. The 46-year-old volunteer uses an electric wheelchair due to her muscular dystrophy. She alleges that in June 2024, she was left 'covered in glass' after the vehicle's door window shattered on a bus stop while a driver struggled to operate the wheelchair lift at the airport. In a previous incident in August 2023, she says it appeared another driver also did not know how to work the lift on the Fly service. She claims this left her 'suspended' above the ground for around 40 minutes and onlookers eventually had to lift her – and her 72kg chair – from the platform. It is understood Xplore Dundee disputes aspects of Paula's claims. Paula told The Courier: 'When I board the Fly service, I book in advance and let them know as they have to remove seats for my chair. 'On this occasion (in August 2023), when I boarded the bus with my friend, the driver let me on safely. 'There is an access lift and the driver would pull the ramp out, and then the lift goes about 4ft in the air. 'There were no issues and we got to Edinburgh Airport. 'Then the driver joked, 'What time is your flight because I don't know how to work this?' 'I was suspended in the air for about 35 to 40 minutes and by this time, a big crowd was watching what was going on.' Paula says it eventually took three people to reach up and carry her off the platform. She said: 'It wasn't necessarily the driver's fault, I asked him if he would go back to Xplore and ask for more training. 'I went on holiday and called Xplore while I was there to make them aware as I had a return booking. 'The lady in the office said the driver shouldn't be able to drive the bus (without knowing how to work the lift). 'I managed to get home and everything was fine on the return journey.' Paula claims that 10 months later, while returning from a holiday at around 2am in June 2024, a driver again struggled to use the lift, despite her having pre-booked. She says that while the driver battled with the mechanism, the upper access door opened and hit a bus stop – leaving a window smashed. Paula said: 'By this time, other passengers were getting really annoyed and some were getting off the bus and asking if they could help. 'They helped the driver get the ramp up. 'I was covered in glass but I had no other way to get home, I was also sat right next to the smashed bus window. 'My concern was if there was a gust of wind the window could have smashed in my face.' Paula says she felt her concerns were 'dismissed' by Xplore Dundee and wants more training for drivers. After initially going to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, the matter was reported to the Acting Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, Richard Turfitt. A public inquiry relating to Xplore's compliance with public service vehicles accessibility regulations (PSVAR) has now been scheduled for June 17 in Edinburgh. A spokesperson for Xplore Dundee said: 'We are aware of the matter and have been engaging with the relevant authorities regarding the allegations. 'As this issue is currently under consideration by the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.' The traffic commissioner can call a public inquiry for a number of reasons, including if operators have not met licence conditions or if their conduct has come into question. During the hearing, all parties present their cases in detail, including the DVSA. The commissioner can choose to issue penalties such as disqualifying an individual or company from having a licence. The decision will either be given at the time of the inquiry or in writing within 28 days. A DVSA spokesperson said: 'All passengers are entitled to be treated with courtesy and dignity by passenger transport providers. 'This includes drivers providing disabled passengers with reasonable assistance, including helping them on and off the bus by means of a ramp if they use a wheelchair. 'DVSA investigates reports of behaviour to the contrary and will take appropriate enforcement action where required.'
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
"Chinese Bridge" competitions held for primary, secondary school students in Nepal
KATHMANDU, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The final rounds of "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competitions for primary- and secondary-school students in Nepal were held on Friday in Lalitpur, a city in the Kathmandu Valley. Ten finalists competing in the fifth "Chinese Bridge" Chinese show for foreign primary school students shared in speeches their rich experiences and thoughts about learning the Chinese language. They demonstrated their Chinese cultural talents through songs, dances, paper-cutting, calligraphy and Wushu rhythmic exercises. Another ten finalists competed on the same stage but in the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign secondary school students. While most speeches were themed on "Fly High With Chinese," one touched upon Oracle bone inscriptions, or Jiaguwen, an ancient Chinese language named for its inscriptions on tortoise shells and animal bones, while the other displayed a clapper talk show. In addition to talent shows featuring songs, dances, kung fu, sword-dance, paper-cutting, Chinese tongue twister and playing of bamboo flute, the secondary-school contestants had an extra contest over their knowledge of Chinese culture. Ashlesha Adhikari and Aarogya Niraula outcompeted the others in the competitions and shall travel to China for the global finals for primary- and secondary-school students, respectively.
Telegraph
04-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Spitfire crash-lands after losing power
A Spitfire has crash-landed in a field after apparently losing power. Emergency services were called to the scene in West Hythe, near Folkestone, Kent, on Saturday at around 7.30pm. Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the pilot and passenger were able to get out of the vintage fighter plane and paramedics treated one of the pair. Images from the incident show the plane on its belly and damage to the propeller. The Air Accident Investigation Branch said it was looking into the incident. The plane is operated by restoration business Fly a Spitfire, based at Biggin Hill, south-east London. It said: 'We can confirm that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. 'The pilot and passenger are uninjured. Spitfire flight operations will continue as planned.' A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: 'We were called to Lower Wall Road, West Hythe, to an aircraft that had made an emergency landing. 'Two fire engines attended, and crews helped to make the scene safe. One person was passed into the care of paramedics.' 'Really low, loud misfiring sound' The Spitfire involved in the incident is a two-seat T9 trainer variant – originally a Mark IXc version built in 1943. It entered service with 441 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving with the RAF. The plane flew its first operational sortie on Sept 25 1944, and two days later shot down a German ME 109 over Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. Witnesses claim the aircraft may have been practising a flypast for a VE Day ceremony, however the company denied this claim when approached by The Telegraph. One told KentOnline: 'We were on our way home from shopping and saw a Spitfire circling.' She said she had watched the plane for a few minutes while driving before suddenly coming across the crashed aircraft. 'We contacted the farmer to make them aware and to get the gate opened,' she added. It was reported that a 'really low, loud misfiring sound' was heard before the crash-landing.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Spitfire crash-lands after losing power
A Spitfire has crash-landed in a field after apparently losing power. Emergency services were called to the scene in West Hythe, near Folkestone, Kent, on Saturday at around 7.30pm. Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the pilot and passenger were able to get out of the vintage fighter plane and paramedics treated one of the pair. Images from the incident show the plane on its belly and damage to the propeller. The Air Accident Investigation Branch said it was looking into the incident. The plane is operated by restoration business Fly a Spitfire, based at Biggin Hill, south-east London. It said: 'We can confirm that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. 'The pilot and passenger are uninjured. Spitfire flight operations will continue as planned.' A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: 'We were called to Lower Wall Road, West Hythe, to an aircraft that had made an emergency landing. 'Two fire engines attended, and crews helped to make the scene safe. One person was passed into the care of paramedics.' The Spitfire involved in the incident is a two-seat T9 trainer variant – originally a Mark IXc version built in 1943. It entered service with 441 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving with the RAF. The plane flew its first operational sortie on Sept 25 1944, and two days later shot down a German ME 109 over Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. Witnesses claim the aircraft may have been practising a flypast for a VE Day ceremony, however the company denied this claim when approached by The Telegraph. One told KentOnline: 'We were on our way home from shopping and saw a Spitfire circling.' She said she had watched the plane for a few minutes while driving before suddenly coming across the crashed aircraft. 'We contacted the farmer to make them aware and to get the gate opened,' she added. It was reported that a 'really low, loud misfiring sound' was heard before the crash-landing. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Horror moment Spitfire 'practicing flypast for VE Day celebrations' crashes into field
A Spitfire crashed into a farmer's field while reportedly practicing a flypast for a VE Day ceremony. Fire crews and paramedics were rushed to the scene after the historic aircraft plummeted from the sky and into crops in West Hythe, Kent. Images from the incident show the warplane lying in a field as onlookers and emergency service personnel gather around it. An anonymous witness saw the plane after it hit the earth told KentOnline: 'We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling. 'Which we thought was unusual so thought perhaps they're practising for a VE-Day ceremony.' She went on explain how she had watched the plane for a few minutes while driving before suddenly coming across the crashed aircraft. The pilot and passenger had luckily made it out of the Spitfire, but bystanders had gathered to take a look at the damage and check to make sure everyone was safe. 'We contacted the farmer to make them aware and to get the gate opened,' she added. A spokesman for the fire service stated: 'We were called to an aircraft that had made an emergency landing. 'Two fire engines attended, and crews helped to make the scene safe. One person was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics.' Emergency crews reportedly left the scene just after 9pm. The iconic aircraft belonged to Biggin Hill-based Spitfire flight experience company, Fly a Spitfire. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an incident involving one of our Spitfire aircraft in the vicinity of Hythe. 'We have spoken to the pilot who has advised that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. 'The pilot and passenger are uninjured and at this stage we have no further information.' According to the local news site, the Spitfire was built in 1943 and entered service with 441 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving with the RAF. Its first operational sortie was flown on September 25, 1944.
