Latest news with #Javier
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I was being pushed towards heaven and hell - it was a near death experience'
When a tube train failed to stop and crashed into the tunnel at Moorgate, in London killing 43 people and injuring 74 more in 1975 survivor Javier Gonzalez had what he describes as a near death experience For half a century pensioner Javier Gonzalez has believed he is one of the luckiest men alive - after surviving the Moorgate tube crash that killed 43 people and injured 74 others on February 28, 1975. Fifty years ago he sat in the first carriage - which was crushed down from 16 metres long to just 6.1 metres - as it crashed into the wall at 8.46am. It was a miracle he survived and he told The Mirror how he had a near-death experience where he remembers being pushed towards heaven and hell. 'I could see underneath me a valley with a river, trees and people and it felt full of love. I wanted to go there but I also wanted to tell everyone about it,' Javier says, describing the moment when he thinks he had a near death experience. 'The next minute I was being pushed down into a very dark area where I could hear screams, I could smell rotten smells, it was dark and hot. I now know it wasn't what was happening in the tunnel because everyone was either dead or rescued except for me and the two other people, who were trapped who had already passed.' Just after the accident, when people were more sceptical about near death experiences, he says people listened to his story as if he had gone mad. He even heard someone in hospital say, 'poor man, he's gone nuts.' He's since written a book about his experience called A Ticket to Eternity, despite being plagued with medical problems since the accident - including blood clots, a brain tumour and recurring pain in his head. Even neurologists, he says, have not ruled out that his medical issues could be related to the crash. The Moorgate tube crash was the worst peacetime accident on the London Underground, crushing the first carriage, leaving the second folded at the front, as it collided with the first, with the third riding over the rear of the second. Rescuers had to walk over dismembered limbs and dead bodies and a number of people who were decapitated to find survivors. Describing the scene as 'worse than in a horror movie', it took the emergency services 13 hours to remove the injured, many of whom had to be cut free from the wreckage. One rescuer said the front carriage that Javier was sitting in was 'an indescribable tangle of twisted metal' where 'the living and the dead were heaped together, intertwined among themselves and the wreckage.. writhing in agony.' Javier was trapped there for five hours and is now thankful he passed out, as he didn't have to witness the horrific carnage around him. The next thing he remembers was being pulled to safety. 'A man asked if I could move and when I replied that I couldn't, he told me to cover my face as he pulled me out of the wreckage,' he says. 'I was slipping in and out of consciousness and I remember someone injecting something into my hand." What happened next will stay with him for a lifetime. 'I didn't gain full consciousness until the following morning, the Saturday when I woke up in intensive care at St Bartholomew's Hospital with splatters of other people's blood on my clothes, covered in soot and with bits of broken glass in my hair. There was a nurse standing next to me and after asking me how I was feeling she passed me a newspaper. I remember there were images of the accident and my name was on the front page. 'I had amnesia and was confused and I was reading about an accident that was being described as worse than a warzone or a horror movie. Then I just remember feeling really thankful that God had not let me see it.' Javier's hip was fractured into 100 pieces and he had to have a steel rod inserted inside his leg. For the next six months, he relied on crutches to walk, but he considers himself one of the lucky ones. And he was not left traumatised about using the tube, as he knew the chances of anyone having a second accident on the underground like that were extremely unlikely. The near death experience has also left him unafraid of dying. No fault was found with the train after an investigation. The brakes were not applied, and the dead man's handle was still depressed when it crashed. The inquiry by the Department of the Environment concluded that the accident was caused by the actions of Leslie Newson, the 56-year-old driver.
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Daily Record
'Never' book these 5 hotel types as they can ruin your holiday, says expert
There are some places you don't want to spend your money on, according to one expert in the industry. As summer fast approaches, thousands of us are looking forward to our annual holiday and a well-earned break from reality. If you're still searching for the perfect break and scrolling for hotels, you might want to take advice from one travel expert who has warned against five types of hotel he said could well ruin your trip. Travel spending is forecast to rise by 9 per cent in 2025, according to recent industry date but not all accommodation will deliver on their promises, says Javier Sobrino, Founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform specialising in curated accommodations. He warned that there are some types of hotel that can quickly turn a dream holiday into a nightmare. Javier said: "'After staying in hundreds of hotels across Spain and beyond, I've learned which types of accommodations just aren't worth the money.' Having spent decades exploring some of Spain 's most distinctive lodgings, from luxurious resorts to quirky treehouses, Javier said he has developed a keen eye for spotting problematic properties before booking. And he warns of five types of five types of accommodations you should think twice about before reserving for your next trip. 1. Airport Hotels (Unless You Have an Early Flight) While conveniently located, airport hotels often charge premium prices for minimal amenities and soulless surroundings. 'These hotels know you're choosing them solely for location, so they rarely invest in creating memorable experiences,' says Javier. . 'You'll typically pay 30-40% more than a similar quality hotel just 15 minutes away.' The expert advises that unless you have a flight departing before 8 a.m., you're better off staying somewhere with more character and taking a slightly longer transfer to the airport. 'Why spend your last night in a place with no local flavour when you could enjoy one final authentic meal and experience?' 2. All-Inclusive Resorts With Poor Reviews Not all all inclusive resorts are created equal, and the lower-tier options can be particularly disappointing. "Budget all-inclusives often serve mediocre food in buffets where items sit out for hours," Javier warns. "The alcohol is typically watered down, and activities are frequently cancelled due to 'weather conditions' regardless of the actual forecast." When researching these properties, pay special attention to food reviews. "If multiple guests mention stomach issues or bland food, believe them. And be wary of resorts with less than 25% of excellent reviews on major booking platforms.' 3. Remote Roadside Hotels Far From Town Centres These budget options may seem attractive when comparing prices online, but the reality rarely matches expectations. 'Hotels located on isolated highways typically suffer from three major problems: constant traffic noise, inconvenient distance from attractions, and often outdated facilities,' explains Javier. 'I once booked a roadside hotel near Valencia that looked decent in photos, only to discover it was situated very close to a truck stop. The constant engine noise made sleep impossible, and there was nowhere within walking distance to eat or experience the local culture.' 4. Hotels Undergoing Renovations Many hotels fail to adequately warn guests about ongoing construction or renovations. 'This is one of the hotel industry's most frustrating practices,' Javier shares. 'They'll offer slight discounts while claiming renovations are 'minimal,' but arrive to find half the amenities closed and construction noise starting at 7 a.m.' Before booking, the expert recommends calling the hotel directly to ask about any current or upcoming renovation projects. 'If they hesitate or give vague answers, that's your red flag. Legitimate hotels with minor work will be upfront about exactly which areas are affected and during what hours,' he shared. 5. Hotels With Suspiciously Low Prices in Prime Locations When a hotel's rate seems too good to be true compared to neighbouring properties, there's usually a hidden reason. "I call these 'bait-and-switch hotels' because what you expect rarely matches reality,' the expert explains. 'They either have hidden fees that double the final price, terrible service, or rooms that haven't been updated since the 1980s." The expert suggests investigating why a hotel might be significantly cheaper than others in the same area. 'Look for recent reviews mentioning unexpected charges, and check if the hotel has changed names recently; that's often a sign they're trying to escape bad reviews.' Javier added: 'When booking accommodation, paying attention to subtle warning signs can save your holiday. 'First, be suspicious of hotels with mostly filtered professional photos but few guest images. Genuine properties encourage guests to share real experiences. "Second, check review dates – a cluster of glowing reviews in a short timeframe often indicates paid feedback. "Third, research the neighbourhood thoroughly, as many disappointing stays stem from misleading location descriptions. And finally, message the property with specific questions before booking. Slow, vague responses typically reflect the service level you'll receive during your stay. 'The best accommodations are transparent about their offerings and enthusiastic about addressing your needs, whether you're seeking luxury or simplicity. "Remember, a truly great stay isn't always about luxury. Rather, it's about honest value delivered with genuine hospitality."
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Tourist faces £168,000 fine after launching huge rock from a clifftop into a gorge at popular Spanish beauty spot
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TOURIST is facing a hefty £168,000 fine after hurling a massive rock into a gorge at a top Spanish beauty spot. The dangerous stunt took place in the Picos de Europa National Park in northern Spain, along the well-trodden Cares Trail, a favourite with hikers and nature lovers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The tourist is seen casting the heavy rock in northern Spain's Picos de Europa National Park 5 Seconds after the large stone was tossed, a deafening bang was heard as it hit the ground several metres below 5 The young man's pal filmed him casting the heavy rock and the video was later uploaded to social media for likes The area welcomes around two million visitors a year, with 300,000 tackling the Cares Trail alone. In the video, the young man is seen tossing the hefty stone off the edge, followed by a loud, echoing bang as it smashes into the rocks far below. The footage was later posted on a social media account known for showing clips of people throwing objects into ravines. While most videos on the page go largely unnoticed, this one quickly went viral, and it didn't take long for Spanish police to step in. The Civil Guard confirmed they are now investigating the incident. A spokesperson warned: 'This stunt could cost you dearly. "Throwing this rock could land this person with a fine ranging from €5,001 to €200,000. 'Why? Because disturbing the environment in the Picos de Europa National Park is classed as a very serious offence. "Keep that in mind when visiting a national park – these are specially protected areas due to their high environmental value.' The clip sparked outrage online, with many calling for tougher consequences to deter similar behaviour. Watch moment idiot tourists climb into fiery mouth of active volcano Popocatépetl in death defying stunt Javier said: 'There are livestock farmers who pass through down there. "Your little joke could've ended badly.' Another user blasted: 'You have to be a real idiot – you could've gone down with the rock. "The force and weight of that boulder could've smashed someone to pieces.' A third commented: 'There's an alternative path underneath – I just hope no one was down there. "And let's not forget, people go canyoning or climbing in those areas – when you throw something, there could be someone below.' Others didn't hold back either. One said: 'He should be accompanied by a responsible adult, it's clear he's not ready to be out on his own.' Another added: 'In the mountains, you mustn't throw rocks if you can't see where they'll land – you have no idea who might be below. You could hit a person or an animal.' Environmental groups have also weighed in, warning that such actions can have long-term impacts on fragile ecosystems. Local park rangers said that although no one was reported hurt, the potential for serious injury or worse was very real. Had there been people hiking or canyoning below, the consequences could've been tragic. Authorities are now working to identify the young man responsible and determine the appropriate penalty. The incident has prompted renewed calls for better signage, surveillance, and education around behaviour in protected natural areas. Visitors to the Cares Trail have also been reminded to respect park rules and use common sense when enjoying nature. A park official said: 'We welcome everyone, but reckless actions like this not only endanger lives – they disrespect the natural beauty and safety of the space we work hard to preserve.' 5 The Spanish Civil Guard have since announced that they are investigating the young man¿s antics, as reported by NeedToKnow
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Tourist faces £168,000 fine after launching huge rock from a clifftop into a gorge at popular Spanish beauty spot
A TOURIST is facing a hefty £168,000 fine after hurling a massive rock into a gorge at a top Spanish beauty spot. The dangerous stunt took place in the Picos de Europa National Park in northern 5 The tourist is seen casting the heavy rock in northern Spain's Picos de Europa National Park 5 Seconds after the large stone was tossed, a deafening bang was heard as it hit the ground several metres below 5 The young man's pal filmed him casting the heavy rock and the video was later uploaded to social media for likes The area welcomes around two million visitors a year, with 300,000 tackling the Cares Trail alone. In the video, the young man is seen tossing the hefty stone off the edge, followed by a loud, echoing bang as it smashes into the rocks far below. The footage was later posted on a While most videos on the page go largely unnoticed, this one quickly went viral, and it didn't take long for The Civil Guard confirmed they are now investigating the incident. A spokesperson warned: 'This stunt could cost you dearly. "Throwing this rock could land this person with a fine ranging from €5,001 to €200,000. 'Why? Because disturbing the environment in the Picos de Europa National Park is classed as a very serious offence. Most read in The US Sun "Keep that in mind when visiting a national park – these are specially protected areas due to their high environmental value.' The clip sparked outrage online, with many calling for tougher consequences to deter similar behaviour. Watch moment idiot tourists climb into fiery mouth of active volcano Popocatépetl in death defying stunt Javier said: 'There are livestock "Your little joke could've ended badly.' Another user blasted: 'You have to be a real idiot – you could've gone down with the rock. "The force and weight of that boulder could've smashed someone to pieces.' A third commented: 'There's an alternative path underneath – I just hope no one was down there. "And let's not forget, people go canyoning or climbing in those areas – when you throw something, there could be someone below.' Others didn't hold back either. One said: 'He should be accompanied by a responsible adult, it's clear he's not ready to be out on his own.' Another added: 'In the mountains, you mustn't throw rocks if you can't see where they'll land – you have no idea who might be below. You could hit a person or an animal.' Local park rangers said that although no one was reported hurt, the potential for serious injury or worse was very real. Had there been people Authorities are now working to identify the young man responsible and determine the appropriate penalty. The incident has prompted renewed calls for better signage, Read more on the Irish Sun Visitors to the Cares Trail have also been reminded to respect park rules and use common sense when enjoying nature. A park official said: 'We welcome everyone, but reckless actions like this not only endanger lives – they disrespect the natural beauty and safety of the space we work hard to preserve.' 5 The Spanish Civil Guard have since announced that they are investigating the young man¿s antics, as reported by NeedToKnow 5 The clip was later shared by a social media account that features videos of young people throwing rocks into voids
New York Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC finally faces homelessness reality as Jessica Tisch's NYPD ‘Q-Teams' hit the streets
David Stern has had it. The Morningside Heights resident has been barraging 911 recently to dislodge a man who's set up camp under the scaffolding outside Stern's apartment building, frequently exposing himself in front of Stern's young sons. When cops show up, they can ask the man if he needs assistance — but can't remove him. 'I'm the taxpayer but you're here to check on that guy,' Stern fumed to me. The man has become a neighborhood fixture, other locals told me — often seen shirtless, enjoying a blunt in the sun, sipping a beer or crab-walking his wheelchair backward and diagonally across busy intersections. Stern once filmed the guy whizzing on his building and showed it to police — 'on my phone, the stream coming out of him.' No matter: Officers must witness public urination themselves just to issue a violation. 'That was the moment that flipped the switch for me,' David recalled. 'Yeah, you guys are useless.' But the inertia may finally be changing. Last week, public frustration with the city's laissez-faire attitude pushed Gov. Kathy Hochul into using the state budget to declare that an inability to meet basic living needs justifies involuntary hospitalization. And NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch's new Quality of Life Initiative, rolled out in some city neighborhoods last month (although not yet in Morningside Heights), is creating a comprehensive one-response system for New Yorkers like Stern. Earlier efforts at sweeps to clear homeless encampments have faced loud backlash from NYC's progressive squawkers. When Mayor Eric Adams tried it in 2022, city Comptroller (and current mayoral hopeful) Brad Lander criticized the initiative as 'failed' when he found that only 5% of the thousands 'swept' would even accept temporary shelter. How many of those rousted individuals entered permanent housing? Just three. Another series of police-led sweeps in 2024 reportedly removed over 27,000 individuals from city streets over nine months — yet didn't solve the problems Stern and other city residents see daily. But Tisch's new Q-Teams, set to expand this summer, are meant to force a more bluntly realistic approach. 'I don't think it's the lack of housing,' said a Manhattan police executive I'll call 'Javier.' 'They're homeless because something inside of them clicks that wants to be homeless,' he said. 'You could put them up in a palace and I think they'd still walk out and do what they do.' A big part of the dysfunction equation is substance abuse, which the pilot Q-Teams are encountering 'every time,' Javier explained. 'Some just want an addiction hit — others are just crazy and [use drugs and alcohol] as a way to cope,' he observed. Another factor keeping homeless on the streets: A beggar on a busy Manhattan sidewalk can rake in a couple of thousand dollars a day. 'It's crazy the amount of money they make on street corners,' Javier told me. No wonder they don't want to budge. It stands to reason Adams' earlier sweeps had no real effect: Their stated goal was coaxing the city's homeless into long-term thriving. The 'Housing First' model championed by homeless advocates, including Lander, offers free permanent residences with no obligation to receive mental-health treatment or desist from substance abuse and its related criminality. It futilely appeals to a population that prefers to stay put on city pavements. Indeed, Lander's 2023 report found that 31% of swept encampments had been rebuilt within one year. But 'Nick,' a senior police officer in one of the five Manhattan precincts where Tisch's Q-Teams are operating, says this time it's different. 'We're about two weeks into it and, so far, we're seeing results,' Nick enthused. When a citizen complains about an encampment, NYPD officers photograph the scene — 'anything with a homeless person with all of his belongings taking up space qualifies' — and a Q-Team rapidly follows up. The vagabonds are permitted to cart off as much as they can carry; everything else gets tossed into a sanitation truck. The 'revolving door' remains, Nick admitted. 'You are moving them around,' Nick told me. 'You'll clean it up and it looks great for a week, and then they come back and do it all over again.' But he's convinced that with consistent enforcement, the city will 'show them they're not going to live on the street with boxes of stuff' — and that homeless individuals will 'eventually get tired of being harassed and say: 'I'll go to a program now.'' In the short term, streets are cleaner, and vulnerable New Yorkers who accept help are getting it. The teams are also improving public safety: They've already turned up homeless individuals with open warrants — even for crimes as serious as murder, Nick told me. And the voices of engaged citizens like David Stern are finally being heard. Hannah E. Meyers is a fellow and the director of policing and public safety at the Manhattan Institute.
