Latest news with #ForeignCommonwealthandDevelopmentOffice
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brit teen who 'went missing in Thailand' arrested in Georgia 'on drug offences'
A teenager reported missing in Thailand has now been confirmed as being arrested in Georgia on drug offences. Bella May Culley's mum Lyanne Kennedy said on Tuesday morning that her daughter was believed to have last seen in the Pattaya area of Thailand and hadn't been in contact with her family since Saturday. The 18-year-old's relatives have flown out to the country to search for Bella and her mum said they are all desperate for news. But in a shock update on Tuesday afternoon, Cleveland Police said that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested in the Eastern European country on suspicion of drugs offences. A force update reads: 'Update on Billingham woman who was reported missing overseas. We have this afternoon had confirmation from the authorities in Georgia that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested there on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody.' Bella first flew out to the Philippines just after Easter and had been travelling with a friend around the islands. She is believed to have flown to Thailand on around May 3. As previously reported, she was in regular contact with her mum and was due to speak with her on Saturday but the family has had no word since and her phone is thought to be switched off. Bella's father Neil Culley has now flown out to Thailand with his sister Kerrie Culley to try to get answers. Lyanne told Teesside Live: "She flew out to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and she was there for three weeks. She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand on about May 3. "The last message she sent was to me and that was on on Saturday at 5.30pm saying she was going to Facetime me later. That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now. "I'm just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice." A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who is reported missing in Thailand."
Sky News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
British Paralympian Sam Ruddock reported missing in Las Vegas
A British Paralympian has been reported missing in Las Vegas, having not been seen for more than a week. Sam Ruddock, 35, who competes in cycling and shotput events, arrived in the US on 13 April and was planning to attend Vegas's WrestleMania, his friend Lucy Earl said. He stayed with her the night before he left - and is believed to have landed in the Nevada city - but has not been heard from since 16 April. "He flew on the 13th, I've got confirmation that he landed, I absolutely know Sam was in Vegas, the concerning part is he went silent from the 16th and because he is such a big presence on social media people were quite fast to notice," she said. Ruddock competed for Great Britain in the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games and has cerebral palsy. The 35-year-old, from Warwickshire, has been reported missing to police in the US and in Lincolnshire. A British Cycling spokesperson said: "British Cycling understands that para-cyclist Sam Ruddock was reported missing to UK and US police and Interpol after not being heard from since Wednesday April 16 2025, while visiting Las Vegas, USA. "We urge anyone who has been in contact with Sam since April 16 or may have any information of his whereabouts to contact their local police department as soon as possible." A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it is assisting the family of a British man reported missing in Las Vegas.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
British Paralympian Sam Ruddock reported missing in Las Vegas
A British Paralympian has been reported missing in Las Vegas, having not been seen for more than a week. Sam Ruddock, 35, who competes in cycling and shotput events, arrived in the US on 13 April and was planning to attend Vegas's WrestleMania, his friend Lucy Earl said. He stayed with her the night before he left - and is believed to have landed in the Nevada city - but has not been heard from since 16 April. "He flew on the 13th, I've got confirmation that he landed, I absolutely know Sam was in Vegas, the concerning part is he went silent from the 16th and because he is such a big presence on social media people were quite fast to notice," she said. Ruddock competed for Great Britain in the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games and has cerebral palsy. Read more from Sky News The 35-year-old, from Warwickshire, has been reported missing to police in the US and in Lincolnshire. A British Cycling spokesperson said: "British Cycling understands that para-cyclist Sam Ruddock was reported missing to UK and US police and Interpol after not being heard from since Wednesday April 16 2025, while visiting Las Vegas, USA. "We urge anyone who has been in contact with Sam since April 16 or may have any information of his whereabouts to contact their local police department as soon as possible." A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it is assisting the family of a British man reported missing in Las Vegas.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
British man, 27, dies in horror avalanche at popular ski resort in French Alps
A 27-year-old British man has died after being carried almost 50 feet and buried in an avalanche at a popular ski resort. The tragedy took place in the French Alps, local government officials have said. The avalanche happened at Val Thorens ski resort, in the Savoie region of south-west France, shortly after 10am on Thursday, local prosecutor Benoît Bachelet said in a statement. READ MORE: Friday night pub quiz: Test your general knowledge with these 20 questions - April 18, 2025 READ MORE: Charity set up in memory of murdered schoolgirl say 'this breaks our hearts' The man, who had been lying at the side of the road, was buried in the snow and carried about 15 metres by its force, the prosecutor said. Nearby police officers were alerted to the incident by a witness, and pulled the man, who had entered cardiac arrest, out of the snow and provided first aid. He was taken to hospital in Grenoble, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, where he later died that evening, Mr Bachelet said. An investigation into the incident has been opened by the regional prosecutor's office. The victim's family are being supported by local services, the prosecutor said. A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who died in France and are in contact with the local authorities."
Sky News
18-04-2025
- Sky News
British man, 27, dies after avalanche at French Alps ski resort
A British man has died after an avalanche at a ski resort in the French Alps, local officials say. The 27-year-old man died after being buried in snow at a ski resort and carried about 15m (49ft) by the avalanche's force, according to local prosecutor Benoit Bachelet. The incident occurred at Val Thorens ski resort in the Savoie region of southwest France, shortly after 10am on Thursday. Mr Bachelet said nearby police officers were alerted to the incident by a witness, and the British man was pulled out of the snow. He added officers gave first aid to the man, who had entered cardiac arrest. He was taken to hospital in Grenoble, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, where he died that evening, Mr Bachelet said. An investigation into the incident has been opened by the regional prosecutor's office. The prosecutor said the victim's family were being supported by local services. A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who died in France and are in contact with the local authorities."
