Latest news with #TheChristie
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
British couple swept to their deaths when 'massive wall of water came from nowhere, sending people screaming' while hiking through Spanish gorge
A British couple were swept to their deaths on a hiking holiday when a 'massive wall of water came from nowhere' and cascaded down a canyon, an inquest has heard. Sarah Jane Thompson, 26, and her boyfriend Alexander Barrett, 32, drowned in the flash floods while hiking in a gorge in Majorca on September 3 last year. One witness told the inquest that the sound of the water was 'incredibly loud' and that it sent people 'screaming'. Ms Thompson, from Levenshulme, south Manchester, was found dead by Spanish search and rescue teams the day after the floods. But the search continued for Mr Barrett, a climbing instructor, who was last seen desperately trying to save his girlfriend from the sudden wall of water. His body was found on September 6 in the Torrent de Pareis canyon in the Tramuntana mountains. Ms Thompson's father, Peter Thompson, who lives in Berwick-upon-Tweed, told Stockport Coroner's Court his daughter 'was never without a smile on her face'. She had represented Cumbria at fell running in national competitions, had a degree in photography from Manchester Metropolitan University, and had recently been promoted in the donations team at The Christie hospital in Manchester. Paul Rodman, Mr Barrett's father, said his son 'loved life' and relished the outdoors, from hiking to surfing, adding: 'He was genuinely a good person, a caring person, a kind person. 'The friends and family have developed a little saying, 'Be more like Alex' because that's what we aspire to be. 'He's missed so much by all his friends and family.' The couple, from Offerton, near Stockport, had gone on the informal trip with friends, all hiking and climbing enthusiasts, making their separate ways to Majorca. On the trip was Luke Weaver, who knew Mr Barrett as a friend and climbing instructor at Awesome Walls, an indoor climbing centre in Stockport. 'We all had a mutual passion for climbing and hiking,' he said in a statement read at the inquest. Mr Weaver, on the trip with his partner, said the hike they planned to do, which took three to four hours to complete, was well known globally and known to be 'challenging in places'. He had completed the hike before on several occasions, but neither Ms Thompson nor Mr Barrett had, but he considered it was 'well within the capabilities' of the group, he said. Mr Weaver said he was aware the gorge flooded so he checked the weather forecast on the morning of September 3 last year, which only predicted rain from 6pm, by which time they would be 'well clear'. He added: 'Had I known what was to happen, I would never have let them into the gorge.' Mr Weaver said he dropped the group of friends off for the hike and intended to catch them up after parking his car, but was delayed in heavy traffic by around two hours, before he could begin the hike himself. It had been a hot morning, but a storm had moved in and at around 2.30pm it began to drizzle with rain but Mr Weaver said this did not cause any concern as he continued the hike to meet with his partner and friends ahead of him. But a short time later it started to rain more heavily and he could hear thunder in the distance and he began to quicken his pace. He said as there was no phone signal in the gorge he could not make contact with them. As the downpour grew Mr Weaver said he spotted his friends, who were now with a German couple and two Spanish nationals, in a 'bottleneck' between two boulders. 'At this point the heavens opened,' Mr Weaver said. 'At this time the water was flowing like a small river.' Mr Weaver said he was helping the hikers through the bottleneck and he gestured to Ms Thompson if she was 'OK' and she replied yes but with a 'nervous smile'. He then heard someone shout, 'Water!' 'Seconds later a massive wall of water came down the gorge,' Mr Weaver said. 'The water appeared to come from nowhere. The sound was incredibly loud, people were screaming.' Mr Weaver said he could see one of the group had managed to grab on to a rock while one of the Spanish nationals had been swept into the torrent and was being carried away. His own partner managed to get out of the water and after a few minutes others emerged from the deluge, but Mr Weaver said the noise of the water was too loud to communicate with each other. 'I was shouting and screaming for the others. I could see no-one,' Mr Weaver said. Ms Thompson had been seen being swept away along with her partner, who had tried to help but the current had taken him too, the inquest heard. Later the survivors were airlifted out of the gorge by helicopter, suffering only minor injuries. Mr Weaver added: 'Everyone who survived that day is incredibly lucky, especially those who got caught in the water. 'I have never experienced anything like this and it is something I will never forget.' Post-mortem examinations gave the cause of death as drowning for both the deceased. Jyoti Gill, assistant coroner for Manchester South, recorded a verdict of accidental death caused by drowning for both Ms Thompson and Mr Barrett, whose legal name was Alexander Johnson, but was known by the name Alex Barrett. Ms Gill said the storm had caused flash flooding, sending a large torrent of water down the canyon. 'It appears water dragged Sarah, and Alex had tried to help her,' Ms Gill concluded. 'Sadly, both Sarah and Alex were unable to climb to safety and were swept away by the floodwaters,' she added.
The Independent
05-08-2025
- The Independent
Couple drowned in flash floods on Majorca hike, inquest hears
A young couple were drowned in flash floods while on a hiking holiday in Majorca, an inquest has heard. Climbing instructor and lifeguard Alexander Barrett, 32, tried to help his partner Sarah Thompson, 26, as a 'wall of water' cascaded down the canyon they were descending with a group of other hikers, Stockport Coroner's Court heard. Both were swept to their deaths, with Ms Thompson's body recovered by Spanish search and rescue teams on September 4 last year, the day after the flood. Mr Barrett's body was found on September 6 in the Torrent de Pareis canyon in the Tramuntana mountains. Ms Thompson's father, Peter Thompson, who lives in Berwick-upon-Tweed, said his daughter 'was never without a smile on her face'. She had represented Cumbria at fell running in national competitions, had a degree in photography from Manchester Metropolitan University, and had recently been promoted in the donations team at The Christie hospital in Manchester. Paul Rodman, Mr Barrett's father, said his son 'loved life' and relished the outdoors, from hiking to surfing, adding: 'He was genuinely a good person, a caring person, a kind person. 'The friends and family have developed a little saying, 'Be more like Alex' because that's what we aspire to be. 'He's missed so much by all his friends and family.' The couple, from Offerton, near Stockport, had gone on the informal trip with friends, all hiking and climbing enthusiasts, making their separate ways to Majorca. On the trip was Luke Weaver, who knew Mr Barrett as a friend and climbing instructor at Awesome Walls, an indoor climbing centre in Stockport. 'We all had a mutual passion for climbing and hiking,' he said in a statement read at the inquest. Mr Weaver, on the trip with his partner, said the hike they planned to do, which took three to four hours to complete, was well known globally and known to be 'challenging in places'. He had completed the hike before on several occasions, but neither Ms Thompson nor Mr Barrett had, but he considered it was 'well within the capabilities' of the group, he said. Mr Weaver said he was aware the gorge flooded so he checked the weather forecast on the morning of September 3 last year, which only predicted rain from 6pm, by which time they would be 'well clear'. He added: 'Had I known what was to happen, I would never have let them into the gorge.' Mr Weaver said he dropped the group of friends off for the hike and intended to catch them up after parking his car, but was delayed in heavy traffic by around two hours, before he could begin the hike himself. It had been a hot morning, but a storm had moved in and at around 2.30pm it began to drizzle with rain but Mr Weaver said this did not cause any concern as he continued the hike to meet with his partner and friends ahead of him. But a short time later it started to rain more heavily and he could hear thunder in the distance and he began to quicken his pace. He said as there was no phone signal in the gorge he could not make contact with them. As the downpour grew Mr Weaver said he spotted his friends, who were now with a German couple and two Spanish nationals, in a 'bottleneck' between two boulders. 'At this point the heavens opened,' Mr Weaver said. 'At this time the water was flowing like a small river.' Mr Weaver said he was helping the hikers through the bottleneck and he gestured to Ms Thompson if she was 'OK' and she replied yes but with a 'nervous smile'. He then heard someone shout, ' Water!' 'Seconds later a massive wall of water came down the gorge,' Mr Weaver said. 'The water appeared to come from nowhere. The sound was incredibly loud, people were screaming.' Mr Weaver said he could see one of the group had managed to grab on to a rock while one of the Spanish nationals had been swept into the torrent and was being carried away. His own partner managed to get out of the water and after a few minutes others emerged from the deluge, but Mr Weaver said the noise of the water was too loud to communicate with each other. 'I was shouting and screaming for the others. I could see no-one,' Mr Weaver said. Ms Thompson had been seen being swept away along with her partner, who had tried to help but the current had taken him too, the inquest heard. Later the survivors were airlifted out of the gorge by helicopter, suffering only minor injuries. Mr Weaver added: 'Everyone who survived that day is incredibly lucky, especially those who got caught in the water. 'I have never experienced anything like this and it is something I will never forget.' Post-mortem examinations gave the cause of death as drowning for both the deceased. Jyoti Gill, assistant coroner for Manchester South, recorded a verdict of accidental death caused by drowning for both Ms Thompson and Mr Barrett, whose legal name was Alexander Johnson, but was known by the name Alex Barrett. Ms Gill said the storm had caused flash flooding, sending a large torrent of water down the canyon. 'It appears water dragged Sarah, and Alex had tried to help her,' Ms Gill concluded. 'Sadly, both Sarah and Alex were unable to climb to safety and were swept away by the floodwaters,' she added.
Telegraph
02-08-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Six ways to reduce your cancer risk according to an oncologist
As a consultant haematologist, I spend my working life treating patients with blood cancers at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, but like many, I also have my own personal history with cancer. My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his 60s, and while he went through a number of lines of treatments over more than a decade, he eventually died from the disease in his late 70s. Now at the age of 54, which is very close to when my dad was diagnosed, I have had a PSA test done, and seemingly so far I'm all right, but knowing my family background certainly has played on my mind a little bit. One of the things we know is that if you have prostate cancer in your family, you're at greater risk of getting it yourself. But given that one in two people will develop cancer in their lifetime, the burden of disease risk through family history is also the reality for many of us. One of the most common questions I find myself being asked by patients is: 'I've got cancer, what can I do now? Can I change my diet or what about some supplements?' But without wanting to sound too cynical, to some extent the horse has already bolted. If cancer has already developed, the outlook is more difficult. This means that prevention is key. If we look at relative cancer outcomes in the UK compared with other high-income nations, research consistently shows that we lag behind, even though we have excellent cancer doctors and nurses, and largely speaking, we have access to most drugs. The differences are down to a combination of lifestyle factors – if everybody's diet was better and we reduced obesity rates for example, we would see less cancer – and our ability to detect more cancers at an early stage. Improving this comes down to decisions taken by policymakers, but also us as individuals and the choices we make. There are some things in terms of cancer risk which are out of our control, for example we cannot change our genetic makeup or our family history. We are also exposed all the time to environmental risk factors such as UV radiation and pollution which are hard to avoid. But there are other things that are very much within our remit. Here are six lifestyle choices that we can all make to limit our cancer risk. 1. Stop smoking and cut down on alcohol Not smoking is just a no-brainer. There is nothing good that can be said about it. As the NHS highlights, if you smoke 25 cigarettes a day, you are 25 times more likely than a non-smoker to get lung cancer due to the amount of toxins they contain. Alcohol is also linked to a number of different cancers and, as with smoking, there is a clear reason. It's metabolised into a toxin which damages DNA, and the more you damage your cells, the more you risk creating an abnormality which leads to cancer. The major factor that drives cancer is still ultimately chance. Things can randomly go wrong in the process of cell replication, which creates cancer cells, and there's not a lot any of us can do about that. But it's all about trying to keep the odds more in your favour, and if you're doing less damage to your body through not smoking and not drinking to excess, you are improving your chances of avoiding cancer. 2. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics Another key player in reducing cancer risk is your immune system. Your body is continually dealing with damaged cells with the potential to become cancerous, but they are spotted and dealt with by the immune system before that happens. Because of this, it's important to take steps towards keeping your immune system healthier for longer. In recent years, studies have repeatedly shown that the intestinal flora in our guts plays a key role in immune health, which is why a dysregulated gut microbiome has been linked to a variety of cancers. One of the biggest things that can adversely affect your gut health is unnecessary antibiotics. In recent years, large studies in both the UK and Sweden have linked antibiotics to proximal colon cancer or tumours which occur in the first section of the colon. This association was found to be highest for antibiotics that wipe out anaerobic bacteria, such as penicillin and cephalosporin-based drugs. Other studies have found possible associations between excessive antibiotic use and lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Researchers are still trying to untangle those links, but the message is clear: messing with your gut health can tip the balance towards greater risk of cancer development. 3. Eat enough antioxidants and limit nitrites Our bodies are all continuously exposed to something called oxidative stress, or toxins created within our body which damage the genetic material in our cells. As well as avoiding things like smoking, alcohol or ingesting carcinogens like nitrites which are found in processed meats, factors which all exacerbate the effects of oxidative stress, we can also mitigate it by consuming whole foods rich in antioxidants which are capable of neutralising oxidative stress. There are many foods like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, kale, spinach and others that contribute to an antioxidant-rich diet which again over time can help protect your body and lower cancer risk. 4. Have the right vaccines We know that there is an increased risk of cancer from various infections. We can't prevent all of them, but there are some like human papillomavirus (HPV) where certain strains are known to be the main cause of cervical cancer. One particular strain, HPV16, is also linked to up to 90 per cent of all head and neck cancers in both genders. Because of this, having the HPV vaccine – which is available to all women under 25 on the NHS – is hugely important in terms of reducing cervical cancer risk. With the vaccine also available for free to all 12 and 13-year-olds of both genders, having it could play a big role in future when it comes to reducing risk of oral cancers. 5. Get tested early One of the biggest drivers of cancer mortality is late diagnosis. While there are some cancers that are very slow growing and it makes little difference if you are diagnosed now or in five years' time, for the most part, early detection makes a huge difference when it comes to the outcome. Again there are things we can all do, whether it's taking part in screening programmes that we are eligible for, being aware of our family history of certain cancers, or simply not ignoring symptoms. With this, it is about listening to your body. We all get symptoms and if you pulled a muscle and you've now got backache, that's obviously fine. But if you have had a strange backache that is really severe, doesn't go away after more than a few weeks or is associated with other symptoms such as weight loss, then that could be a problem. Most of the time it is about not sitting on stuff, and asking yourself the question: 'Is this symptom something I have had for longer than I should have done?' 6. Sleep duration and regularity Some studies have found that irregular sleeping patterns, including variable bedtimes and waking times, are linked to a greater risk of cancer over time, compared with people with more regular sleep schedules. Again a lot of this is probably related to immune-system health. Sleep is restorative and consistent sleeping patterns help regulate immune cell production and function, making the body more effective at healing itself. Your body is constantly under stress from the environment, some of which you can't change, and therefore sleep is a useful chance for it to repair. We still need to know more about the link between sleep and cancer risk because some of the research is a little inconsistent, but overall, the more sleep you can get, and the more regular your sleeping pattern, the better it probably is for your overall cancer risk.
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'More people are now being diagnosed with cancer'
More than 100,000 chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments delivered by The Christie for the first time. As more people are diagnosed with cancer and more treatments are available to patients, The Christie has delivered a record number of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments in one 12-month period for the first time in its 125-year history. More than 14,000 patients under the care of Manchester's specialist cancer centre received 105,827 chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. READ MORE: Bolton TA's praise for The Christie after brain tumour diagnosis Hats Off! fundraiser for The Christie Charity as Oasis return to stage Breightmet man's friends raise £4k for The Christie in his memory This is a threefold increase in the number of treatments provided compared with 15 years ago. In 2010-2011, the cancer centre performed approximately 35,000 chemotherapy treatments. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal treatments for cancer are delivered at The Christie in Withington and by Christie nurses across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire through a network of 11 local treatment centres and directly in patients' homes. These include The Royal Bolton Hospital, Bury Hospice and St Anne's Hospice in Little Hulton. Around 9,000 chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments also take place in patients' homes through the 'at home' service. Gemma Jones, Lead nurse for Systematic Anti-Cancer Therapy and Outpatients, said: "Over the past year, we have delivered a record number of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments to patients at The Christie, and our dedicated staff are working harder than ever to keep up with demand. 'My team have worked extremely hard on service efficiencies to ensure we are managing the increase in new treatments and alternative treatment options which have seen us deliver more than 105,000 treatments in one year to patients. Despite these record numbers, our colleagues still aim to provide the highest standards of compassion and care for the people they treat.' There are numerous reasons for the increase in the number of treatments being delivered. More people than ever before are now being diagnosed with cancer, with the lifetime risk of a cancer diagnosis for anyone born after 1960 being one in two. Improvements in early diagnosis mean that more patients than ever before are being diagnosed when cancer is in its early stages and treatments are most likely to be successful. More treatments for late-stage cancers are also available than 15 years ago. The increase in treatments delivered is also a result of anti-cancer therapies being more successful. Around half of people diagnosed with cancer in England and Wales now survive with their disease for ten years or more and live on average, almost six times longer after their cancer diagnosis than was the case 40 years ago.
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'I bought my first home then was told I have cancer'
A 28-year-old woman has described the "absolutely awful" moment she was diagnosed with terminal cancer just months after getting engaged and buying her first Lonergan fell ill while on holiday in South Africa in January 2024, and remembers a sudden loss of appetite, breathlessness, and weight loss."I'd been the same weight for about 10 years so I instantly knew something was wrong," she initially put her symptoms down to a viral infection but after several scans she was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer. Ms Lonergan, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said the results were "a massive shock" because she and her fiancé Will Rotheram were both "really fit, and had never smoked". Months after surgery to remove a tumour in the April, she got even more bad news."I was told the cancer had spread and that I'd be referred to The Christie to see a specialist," Ms Lonergan is now in the hands of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, in Manchester, described as one of Europe's leading cancer went on to have further surgery to remove a significant part of her lungs but in December the diagnosis worsened again."They told me it was Stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer, and that it was now in my neck and the lymph nodes around my chest area," Laura cancer was rare, incurable, and Laura was given less than 10 years to live. "It was devastating to find out," her partner said. "We got the first diagnosis on the Monday and then got the keys to our house on the Friday."Ms Lonergan said the whole experience had been "terrifying"."When you hear the words cancer, the first thing you think is that you're going to die; so it was absolutely awful."However, the running enthusiasts also wanted to use the difficult news for good and will take part in fundraiser for The Christie later as a sign of appreciation for the treatment they have Rotheram, who completed the Manchester Marathon in April, will join 14 friends on a monster 100 km (61 miles) Ultra Challenge in the Peak Lonergan, alongside friends and family, will run with them for the first 10 miles. Raise awareness "It's an unbelievably hard challenge," said Mr Rotheram, who ran a 100k back in 2023. "I did it with a couple of friends and said I'd never do it again because it was the hardest thing I've ever done. You're awake for well over 24 hours and so you get sleep deprived."Ms Lonergan recalled running the Manchester half marathon in October, completely unaware she had a collapsed lung."I'd be training for months but found it very difficult, and thought it was because I wasn't fit enough," she said."I was having panic attacks and my airway was blocked from the tumour, so I wasn't getting any oxygen."She still finished the race in just over two above all the pair said the main goal is "to raise awareness"."If you do feel that something isn't right in your body, you do need to push it with your doctors so you are heard," Mr Rotheram far they have raised more than £26,000 for The Christie. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
