Latest news with #GreaterManchesterPolice
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Horror car crash that ended in tragedy for Race Across the World star
Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner has tragically died aged 24 after his VW Golf R estate came off the road, with his parents paying an emotional tribute to him Fans of Race Across the World have joined the family and friends of the show's star Sam Gardiner in mourning his sudden death. The 24-year-old former contestant of the BBC programme died following a car crash in Manchester last week. It was announced on Sunday that a a 'terrible accident' had cost the global adventurer his life as tributes begin to pour, with those who watched his journey left stunned by the news. Sam had been driving on the A34 in Manchester on Bank Holiday Monday when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side. He had been working in Scotland and travelled to Stockport to attend a family birthday celebration earlier in the week. Driving his VW Golf R estate, the landscape gardener suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at hospital. Sam's parents said he was "adored by his family" and described him as "loyal, funny and fiercely protective". They added his time on the BBC show "opened Sam's eyes to the wonder of adventure". His parents continued: "He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland. "Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we'll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade'. Following his sad death, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "We sadly must confirm that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday 26 May on the A34 in Gatley has since passed away from his injuries. "The driver, a 24-year-old man, has been named as Sam Gardiner. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. They have asked for privacy at this terrible time. "We'd like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and have sent their best wishes to Sam and his family." Sam and mum Jo were unable to compete in the final leg of the race after they ran out of money. However, Sam had described his time on Race Across the World as a "life-changing" experience. Following the devastating news, a Race Across the World spokesperson offered the their deepest condolences "Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo," they said. "Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result. "Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo; his brothers, William and Charlie; his step mum Justine; his family and friends."
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner dies aged 24 following horror car crash
A man who competed in Race Across the World has died following a car crash. Sam Gardiner appeared on the second series of the BBC reality competition alongside his mum Jo in , with the pair tasked with racing from Mexico to Argentina. The pair bowed out of the competition in the seventh leg after they ran out of funds and options to earn more money. A man who competed in Race Across the World has died following a car crash. Pic: Greater Manchester Police A statement from Jo and Sam's father, Andrew confirmed that he had died following a 'terrible accident.' They said: 'Sam left us too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special. 'Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective.' Sam Gardiner appeared on the second series of the BBC reality competition alongside his mum Jo in , with the pair tasked with racing from Mexico to Argentina. Pic: Greater Manchester Police The grieving parents added that participating in Race Across the World 'opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel.' They said: 'He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we'll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade.' The car crash happened on the A34 in Gatelay, near Cheadle on Monday night, with Sam passing away from his injuries on Thursday. It is understood the 24-year-old was the only person in the single-vehicle collision. Pic: Getty Images A statement from Greater Manchester Police said: 'Emergency services attended the scene after a vehicle was reported to have left the carriageway and rolled before landing on its side.' It is understood the 24-year-old was the only person in the single-vehicle collision. Condolences came in from Race Across The World bosses also, with a spokesperson saying: 'Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo. 'Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result.' The statement added that Sam and Jo have played an 'integral' role as part of the cast family. 'We would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo; his brothers William and Charlie; his step mum Justine; his family and friends.'
The Sun
4 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Teen, 19, fighting for life after falling from balcony ‘while fleeing cops' as boy, 14, raced to hospital
A TEENAGER is fighting for his life in hospital after falling from a balcony while allegedly fleeing police. The 19-year-old man suffered critical injuries after falling off an "upper balcony from height" in Tameside, Manchester, said cops. A 14-year-old boy was also seriously injured in the same fall on Saturday night, according to Greater Manchester Police. It came after police received reports of a "group of males with machetes making threats towards individuals" at the location. Upon arrival, at around 7.20pm, officers gave chase to three males who "tried to leave" the property, with one of the three escaping through a lower balcony. The 19-year-old who fell from the balcony then sustained serious injuries. Footage from the scene showed emergency services at the foot of Bentinck House, a 12 storey tower block on the outskirts of Ashton town centre. Three people have been arrested and drugs and a weapon have also been seized, said police. Witnesses reported seeing armed police and an air ambulance at the scene. Det Supt Gareth Jenkins from the Tameside District said: "The two injured parties, aged 14 and 19, have been taken to hospital for treatment of serious injuries, with the older male in a critical condition. "These males are under the detention of officers pending their medical treatment, and another male has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. 'Enquiries are ongoing to determine all of those involved and the full circumstances of what has happened in the lead up to the incident. Suspected drugs and a weapon have been recovered. "A small scene remains in place at the property and residents in the area should expect to see further police activity. "Anyone with any information which has not yet been provided to us, or with any concerns, should speak to officers on the ground. "I'd like to reassure the community that this incident is believed to be between individuals known to one another, with no wider risk to the community." Police are looking for any witnesses to come forward with any information that could aid their inquiries. Anyone with information is being urged to call 101 quoting incident number 2849 of May 31 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Liz Truss plugs whiskey in bizarre vid with bare-knuckle boxer who attacked OAP
In the bizarre new video, a grinning Liz Truss is seen alongside 36-year-old Dougie Joyce, who was jailed for leaving an elderly man with 'significant facial injuries' Liz Truss has been slammed for appearing in a video with a bare-knuckle boxer who served time in prison for a 'horrendous' attack on a 78-year-old man. The former Prime Minister is seen alongside convicted criminal Dougie Joyce in a bizarre new clip promoting the 36-year-old's spirit brand, Joyce's Irish Whiskey. Joyce walked free in November after being put behind bars for a 30-minute brawl in a bar in Manchester in October 2020, and was previously handed a 19-month sentence for attacking an elderly man in a pub. But in a video filmed at a recent launch event , short-lived Tory PM Truss is seen smiling and proudly holding up a bottle of the bare-knuckle fighter's whiskey to the camera in an apparent endorsement of his product. He is heard saying "Just remember, Dougie Joyce loves ya", before she adds: "Liz Truss loves you." Sources close to Liz Truss told The Sun that she had not been paid for her appearance at the event last month, which was hosted at National League club Scunthorpe United's stadium. Another described her appearance alongside Joyce as a "serious lapse", adding: "She's a former Prime Minister and has to be extremely careful who she associates herself with. You have to wonder if anyone did the due diligence." In a post last week on Instagram, Joyce described it as "great honour to have former Prime Minister Liz Truss as a special guest at my event", saying that the Tory ex-PM "took the time to speak about the future of business and the steps we can take moving forward." He added: "Having her there truly meant a lot and added a distinguished touch to the occasion." In October 2022, Joyce confronted a 78-year-old man in the back room of pub in Manchester city centre, shouting angrily before punching him three times, knocking him off his seat and causing severe bleeding. He then stood over the victim and urged another man to hit him, before delivering a powerful left punch that sent him crashing over furniture. Joyce then leant over the helpless victim and hit him another time while he lay on the ground. The elderly man was left with "significant facial injuries", in part because of the large gold ring Joyce was wearing. Speaking after he was sentenced to 20 months in prison back in November 2023, Greater Manchester Police's Detective Constable Natalie Hollows said: "Joyce is an aggressive and violent man who intended to intimidate and inflict pain on a vulnerable 78 year old man by carrying out this horrendous assault. "Joyce was wearing a large gold pyramid-style ring when he punched the man in the face, causing him significant injury due to the size and shape accelerated by force and the series of punches he endured. I'm glad Joyce will now face time behind bars as punishment for his actions and hope he takes this time to reflect on the impact of his actions." And last May, Joyce was handed a 13-month jail sentence while his brother Tom was given 22 months in prison for a brawl with the rival Doherty family in another Manchester pub. Dougie Joyce ended up being released in November, and has since vowed to clean up his act by throwing himself into charity work and his drinks business.
Sky News
10 hours ago
- General
- Sky News
Innocent neighbours at risk as gangs use rented houses and flats for cannabis farms
Why you can trust Sky News Organised criminal gangs are increasingly using rented houses and flats to operate illegal cannabis farms – and police say it is putting the lives of innocent neighbours at risk. The gangs often use crude methods to bypass electricity meters to avoid paying for the high levels of energy the farms require, creating an increased fire risk. Rival gangs also carry out raids on each other's farms - a practice known as 'taxing' - carrying out "significant violence" to anyone who gets in their way, police say. Greater Manchester Police detected 402 cannabis farms between May 2024 and April 2025, and Sky News was given access to an operation by its officers at a semi-detached house in a quiet suburban street in Wythenshawe. Inside, officers found one room full of cannabis plants and another 'drying room' with the drug packaged up and ready to be distributed. The street value was estimated in the tens of thousands of pounds. Outside, officers found evidence that the electricity meter had been bypassed. 'Abstracting' is the offence of dishonestly using, wasting or diverting electricity. One person inside the property was arrested. "The electricity gets bypassed in order to avoid big electric bills," Inspector Bree Lanyon said. "Because a substantial amount of electric is required to run the lights, the ventilation, the heat, everything else that's required in the cannabis farm, the abstract is done in a haphazard way and it can cause fires within the properties." She continued: "We've seen a lot of fires recently in premises that have been set up as cannabis farms, because of the way the electricity is set up. It's not safe and the neighbouring residence could be at risk if that property is burning down." The risks posed by cannabis farms were highlighted by the death of seven-year-old Archie York in 2024. He was killed when chemicals being used in a cannabis factory caused an explosion in the family's block of flats. The drug dealer responsible was jailed for 14 years. Police say gangs employ low-level operatives, known as gardeners, to manage and protect farms, who will often plead guilty to drug offences and accept the punishment to keep police off the trail of those controlling the operation. The use of rented properties - sometimes through rogue landlords - also makes detection more difficult. "The vast majority are organised crime gangs," said Detective Inspector Paul Crompton, from GMP's serious and organised crime group. "It infuriates me when we take action against these farms and people say 'It's only cannabis'. "What we see with cannabis farms is that rival organised crime groups will actively target those and break in and take the products by force. You've got a risk of potentially people being kidnapped or killed without us knowing anything about them. "Make no bones about it, there's massive amounts of money to make and they would rather just go and take that cannabis and sell it for themselves. They'll do significant, violence against anybody that gets in the way, whether that's the gardener, the police or residents who might get in the way." Police say landlords need to be aware of the risks and even the chief executive of the British Landlords Association has fallen victim. One of Sajjar Ahmad's properties was badly damaged by those using it for an illegal cannabis farm. "I can only explain it as horrific," he said. "Our members, when they've experienced the problem with the cannabis farm, they are shocked. They didn't know it could happen. They are not aware of the telltale signs.
