Latest news with #MatthewNichols
New York Post
29-06-2025
- New York Post
Alligator mauls wife, 61, canoeing with her husband as Florida urges vacationers to avoid disaster
Florida wildlife authorities have released a new report on a vicious May alligator attack that took the life of a Michigan woman. Cynthia Diekema, 61, was killed while canoeing with her husband near Lake Kissimmee State Park when they unknowingly approached an 11-foot, four-inch alligator lurking beneath the surface, a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says, according to KETV. FWC said that the alligator thrashed underneath the canoe, causing the pair to be thrown into the water. 'The victim was immediately bitten on the torso, and efforts by her husband to assist her were unsuccessful,' according to the report. 'The alligator performed a death roll and swam away with the victim.' FWC alligator trappers later caught the alligator. 4 Cynthia Diekema, 61, was killed while canoeing with her husband near Lake Kissimmee State Park. WESH 2 News Amid the release of the report, FWC announced a new partnership with GatorWise, described as 'a new public awareness campaign that aims to promote realistic public perceptions about alligators and assist the public in taking appropriate actions to minimize conflict,' in order to help Floridians navigate the waters during the summer, when alligator attacks become more common. 'Florida has seen tremendous population growth in recent years, with many people living or recreating near water,' Matthew Nichols, FWC alligator management program coordinator, said of the partnership. 'Because alligators can be found in nearly any water in Florida, it's safest to always assume they're present. GatorWise provides consistent, science-based information from across the Southeast to help people safely share the landscape with these important animals.' 4 FWC said that the alligator thrashed underneath the canoe, causing the pair to be thrown into the water. WESH 2 News According to the wildlife authority, there are an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida. FWC's 2025 statistics show that there have been two 'major' alligator bites through May, one of them being fatal. There have been no 'minor' bites this year. Last year, there were a total of 11 bites, nine considered major and two minor, with no fatalities. In 2023, there were 23 alligator bites, 18 major and five minor, with two fatalities. 4 According to the wildlife authority, there are an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida. WESH 2 News The GatorWise website provides basic instructions, like assuming alligators are present when near the water, not feeding alligators, not disposing of fish or food scraps in the water, not attempting to pick up an alligator, and ensuring pets aren't wandering shorelines off-leash. 'Alligators are native to many wetlands of the southeastern United States, making them critical to the health and balance of these ecosystems,' the site says. 'Minimizing conflicts with people while maintaining necessary protections from overharvest is crucial to keeping alligator populations stable within their range.' 4 Last year, there were a total of 11 bites, nine considered major and two minor, with no fatalities. WESH 2 News 'To do that we must Educate people about alligators, while increasing Respect for these animals and their natural behaviors, which will allow for alligators and humans to Coexist.' Fox News Digital reached out to FWC.
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Disabled train passenger is forced to move so Coronation Street stars on way to Soap Awards could have their own private carriage
A train company has sparked fury after a disabled passenger were forced to move so Coronation Street stars on their way to the British Soap Awards could enjoy their own 'exclusive' carriage. Passengers were denied access to their allocated seats by Avanti West Coast staff on Saturday so the TV stars could sit together and have a carriage to themselves. The Corrie stars, alongside their makeup artists, were travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston to attend the awards - with a sign on a carriage door the same day reading 'Exclusive carriage - Sorry for today's journey this carriage is not available'. The sign added: 'If you have a reservation please speak to the host for your reallocated seat!' Once the journey was underway, an Avanti staff member reportedly guarded the door to Standard Premium to stop anyone from entering as the cast drank prosecco. Several stars posted photographs of themselves and the cast while on the train, including Cait Fitton and Channique Sterling-Brown. Passenger Matthew Nichols furiously took to social media to report the incident, posting on X: 'Good morning from an @AvantiWestCoast train where disabled passengers are being removed from their pre-existing seat reservations so that the cast of a TV show can sit together in one carriage. 'Makes you wonder if Avanti prioritises corporate bookings over disabled customers.' He added: 'Once the journey was underway, an Avanti staff member [stood] guard at the door to the coach, prohibiting anyone else from entering. 'At the same time, some of the cast from the TV show were keen to bring their friends through from the adjacent coach to join them... in drinking prosecco. 'So, disabled people are removed from their seat reservations whilst Avanti staff guard the doors so that the actors from a TV show (why do they *have* to sit together?) can drink Prosecco and bring their mates in.' In response to the furious post, Avanti West Coast @AvantiWestCoast replied: 'Hi Matthew. We're extremely sorry to hear this. Are you able to please provide me with further information about your experience, and let me know which service you're travelling on via DM? Many thanks!' Former Corrie actress Tracie Bennett described the incident as 'horrendous behaviour', while comedian Jennie Éclair said she could not believe the actors would be 'complicit'. Stars of the country's favourite soaps descended on Hackney Empire in London on Saturday for the annual bash which was hosted by Jane McDonald. But it was the BBC's EastEnders that cleaned up on the night with eight awards while Hollyoaks received three, Emmerdale two and Coronation Street only one. They kicked off their wins with Best Episode which went to Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985. EastEnders also won Scene of the Year for Angie Watts' Shock Return while Navin Chowdhry won Best Villain for his role of Nish Panesar.
