Latest news with #Maddern
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning after three deaths linked to blue pills
A health warning has been issued urging people to avoid a batch of blue tablets following three deaths in Plymouth. Devon and Cornwall Police said two men aged in their 20s and 30s were pronounced dead at an address in Welbeck Avenue on Saturday and a third man, aged in his 30s, was found dead in a property on North Road East the following day. Det Insp Michelle Dunn said all three deaths were believed to be drugs-related and were being treated as linked and unexplained. Plymouth City Council has issued a public health warning following the deaths, saying the incidents are believed to be linked to blue pills being sold illegally as Valium, in blister packs with Arabic writing on them. Prof Steve Maddern, the council's director of public health, said the tablets were being tested to discover if they are toxic. He said the contents of the drugs could not be known until the tests were done, but the authorities wanted people to be aware of issues potentially linked to them. "Any loss of a life is a tragedy, and we want to prevent it happening to anyone else," Prof Maddern added. "We're very concerned about these tablets... they might look like Valium, but they could be contaminated with another substance and therefore more toxic. "If you or someone you know has these tablets, do not take them." If someone has taken drugs and becomes unwell, the council's advice is to call 999 straight away or take them to Derriford Hospital's Emergency Department. Prof Maddern said he did not have further details about where the drugs had come from. He added: "It's been quite a surprise to us to see these three deaths over the weekend without any kind of pre-warning in relation to other overdoses, which is a concern to us." The professor said some people might be purchasing the pills outside of blister packs and if anyone did feel like they had to take one, they should do so in the company of others so the emergency services could be called if something went wrong. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Police have appealed for any witnesses to speak with them as officers investigate the deaths. Det Insp Dunn said: "Our inquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are working closely with our partner agencies to do this. "If anyone has any information which they feel may assist our investigation, please report it to us." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Devon and Cornwall Police Plymouth City Council
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fatal aircraft crash due to radio, visibility failures
Radio call failures and blocked visibility on two runways likely contributed to a mid-air light plane collision that killed two people, an aviation report has found. Former commercial pilot David Maddern and his wife Jan, both in their 60s, were killed when their Jabiru J430 collided midair with a Piper Pawnee glider tug aircraft on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in July 2023. The final Australian Transport Safety Bureau report found Mr Maddern's aircraft was unable to receive or transmit radio calls and trees blocked the view between two runways, saying it likely contributed to the crash. On the fateful morning, the Pawnee aircraft was returning to land at the non-controlled Caboolture aerodrome while Mr Maddern was preparing to depart from an intersecting runway. Pilots at Caboolture rely on making radio calls and visual cues - commonly called "alerted see-and-avoid" - to prevent crashes, safety bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. The Pawnee was due to touch down but then a Cessna 172, piloted by a solo student, crossed the runway and was unaware of the other aircraft. This led the Pawnee to abort the landing by applying power to begin climbing back into the air while radioing other pilots about the decision. But at the same time, Mr Maddern's aircraft lifted off from the intersecting runway. Mr Maddern started a left turn trying to avoid the Pawnee but the two aircraft collided at 130 feet, the ATSB found. The Jabiru plunged to the ground, killing Mr Maddern and his wife Jan. The Pawnee remained flyable despite damage to its left wing and was landed safely by the uninjured pilot. The ATSB investigation found the Pawnee pilot had made multiple radio calls about their intention to land and the decision to abort but did not hear any from Mr Maddern. "Based on the Jabiru pilot's apparent unawareness of the Pawnee until just before the collision, and most witnesses not recalling hearing any calls from the Jabiru throughout the event, it is likely that the Jabiru pilot could not transmit or hear radio calls," Mr Mitchell said. "Because of this, and a stand of trees between the intersecting runways that blocked visibility between them, neither pilot was aware of the other aircraft." The ATSB ruled the aerodrome operator did not effectively manage or inform pilots about the risk of the trees or buildings on the runway that could impact visibility. Since the crash, the aerodrome has prohibited simultaneous runway operations and mandated take-off radio calls. The investigation also found that the regulatory guidance that pilots relied on when using non-controlled aerodromes did not clearly define what an "active runway" was. The chief regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, has decided to remove all references to the term "active runway" to prevent confusion. Mr Mitchell said the tragic accident highlights the risk of "see-and-avoid" strategies to prevent crashes. He urged pilots to mitigate the risks of the strategy by using two-way radio calls but also being mindful that communication can be missed or misinterpreted.
West Australian
5 days ago
- General
- West Australian
Fatal aircraft crash due to radio, visibility failures
Radio call failures and blocked visibility on two runways likely contributed to a mid-air light plane collision that killed two people, an aviation report has found. Former commercial pilot David Maddern and his wife Jan, both in their 60s, were killed when their Jabiru J430 collided midair with a Piper Pawnee glider tug aircraft on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in July 2023. The final Australian Transport Safety Bureau report found Mr Maddern's aircraft was unable to receive or transmit radio calls and trees blocked the view between two runways, saying it likely contributed to the crash. On the fateful morning, the Pawnee aircraft was returning to land at the non-controlled Caboolture aerodrome while Mr Maddern was preparing to depart from an intersecting runway. Pilots at Caboolture rely on making radio calls and visual cues - commonly called "alerted see-and-avoid" - to prevent crashes, safety bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. The Pawnee was due to touch down but then a Cessna 172, piloted by a solo student, crossed the runway and was unaware of the other aircraft. This led the Pawnee to abort the landing by applying power to begin climbing back into the air while radioing other pilots about the decision. But at the same time, Mr Maddern's aircraft lifted off from the intersecting runway. Mr Maddern started a left turn trying to avoid the Pawnee but the two aircraft collided at 130 feet, the ATSB found. The Jabiru plunged to the ground, killing Mr Maddern and his wife Jan. The Pawnee remained flyable despite damage to its left wing and was landed safely by the uninjured pilot. The ATSB investigation found the Pawnee pilot had made multiple radio calls about their intention to land and the decision to abort but did not hear any from Mr Maddern. "Based on the Jabiru pilot's apparent unawareness of the Pawnee until just before the collision, and most witnesses not recalling hearing any calls from the Jabiru throughout the event, it is likely that the Jabiru pilot could not transmit or hear radio calls," Mr Mitchell said. "Because of this, and a stand of trees between the intersecting runways that blocked visibility between them, neither pilot was aware of the other aircraft." The ATSB ruled the aerodrome operator did not effectively manage or inform pilots about the risk of the trees or buildings on the runway that could impact visibility. Since the crash, the aerodrome has prohibited simultaneous runway operations and mandated take-off radio calls. The investigation also found that the regulatory guidance that pilots relied on when using non-controlled aerodromes did not clearly define what an "active runway" was. The chief regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, has decided to remove all references to the term "active runway" to prevent confusion. Mr Mitchell said the tragic accident highlights the risk of "see-and-avoid" strategies to prevent crashes. He urged pilots to mitigate the risks of the strategy by using two-way radio calls but also being mindful that communication can be missed or misinterpreted.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Fatal aircraft crash due to radio, visibility failures
Radio call failures and blocked visibility on two runways likely contributed to a mid-air light plane collision that killed two people, an aviation report has found. Former commercial pilot David Maddern and his wife Jan, both in their 60s, were killed when their Jabiru J430 collided midair with a Piper Pawnee glider tug aircraft on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in July 2023. The final Australian Transport Safety Bureau report found Mr Maddern's aircraft was unable to receive or transmit radio calls and trees blocked the view between two runways, saying it likely contributed to the crash. On the fateful morning, the Pawnee aircraft was returning to land at the non-controlled Caboolture aerodrome while Mr Maddern was preparing to depart from an intersecting runway. Pilots at Caboolture rely on making radio calls and visual cues - commonly called "alerted see-and-avoid" - to prevent crashes, safety bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. The Pawnee was due to touch down but then a Cessna 172, piloted by a solo student, crossed the runway and was unaware of the other aircraft. This led the Pawnee to abort the landing by applying power to begin climbing back into the air while radioing other pilots about the decision. But at the same time, Mr Maddern's aircraft lifted off from the intersecting runway. Mr Maddern started a left turn trying to avoid the Pawnee but the two aircraft collided at 130 feet, the ATSB found. The Jabiru plunged to the ground, killing Mr Maddern and his wife Jan. The Pawnee remained flyable despite damage to its left wing and was landed safely by the uninjured pilot. The ATSB investigation found the Pawnee pilot had made multiple radio calls about their intention to land and the decision to abort but did not hear any from Mr Maddern. "Based on the Jabiru pilot's apparent unawareness of the Pawnee until just before the collision, and most witnesses not recalling hearing any calls from the Jabiru throughout the event, it is likely that the Jabiru pilot could not transmit or hear radio calls," Mr Mitchell said. "Because of this, and a stand of trees between the intersecting runways that blocked visibility between them, neither pilot was aware of the other aircraft." The ATSB ruled the aerodrome operator did not effectively manage or inform pilots about the risk of the trees or buildings on the runway that could impact visibility. Since the crash, the aerodrome has prohibited simultaneous runway operations and mandated take-off radio calls. The investigation also found that the regulatory guidance that pilots relied on when using non-controlled aerodromes did not clearly define what an "active runway" was. The chief regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, has decided to remove all references to the term "active runway" to prevent confusion. Mr Mitchell said the tragic accident highlights the risk of "see-and-avoid" strategies to prevent crashes. He urged pilots to mitigate the risks of the strategy by using two-way radio calls but also being mindful that communication can be missed or misinterpreted.
