Latest news with #firefighter
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Trainee firefighter, 32, faces the sack after ‘unnerving' boasts about his astonishing former life outside the UK
A TRAINEE firefighter has been sacked for boasting he was a former drug cartel hitman. Ali Gonzalez, 32, was six weeks into his basic training course when he was suspended this week. 1 His colleagues in Bury, Manchester, turned web sleuths to find Gonzalez had previously given interviews about his life as a sicario — or hitman. He claimed he worked in Mexico for the feared Sinaloa cartel, featured in Netflix dramas Narcos: Mexico and El Chapo. His boasts included killing dozens of rivals and seeing one gangster beheaded in a jail fight. A source said he had dropped hints to trainees about his past. 'It was unnerving,' they added. Greater Manchester Fire Service said: 'We moved quickly to investigate. Public safety is our top priority.' Gonzalez declined to comment.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘A happy ending': Winnipeg couple saves ducklings that fell through grate
The baby ducks that were rescued are pictured in Winnipeg's south end on July 15, 2025. (Chandra Kremski) A Winnipeg couple acted quickly and used their protective instincts to save a group of ducklings who had fallen through a grate on the street. The rescue took place on Tuesday when Chandra Kremski was driving in the south end of Winnipeg and saw a group of young adults standing around a grate where a mother duck was pacing on the road. She pulled over to see what was going on and learned that about a dozen ducklings were trapped after falling through the grate. 'There was no way they were going to get out,' she said. 'The mother was under so much stress. We knew time was of the essence because we didn't want [the mom] to take off and fly away or give up.' Chandra offered her assistance and made the decision to call her husband, Derek Kremski, who works as a firefighter. She emphasized that Derek was nearby and had the special set of skills needed in the situation, which is why she felt it was a safe option. 'With firefighting, they not only serve and protect people, but often they rescue animals,' Chandra explained. Derek grabbed the supplies he needed and came to the scene of the rescue, where he was able to lift the grate and take the ducklings to safety. Chandra said the pair stayed for a few minutes to observe, adding that some of the babies made a beeline to their mom, while others started waddling back to the road. 'That's why we were kind of ushering or having to pick and scoop some of them up, because they were just going in the wrong direction,' she said. 'We were literally trying to get them all back under their mom's care.' Duck rescue The ducks can be seen walking to safety in Winnipeg's south end on July 15, 2025. (Chandra Kremski) Chandra said her mom instincts kicked in when she saw the group of young adults on the street, which is what prompted her to stop and see if everything was alright. She said helping was the right thing to do. 'I love animals. It's like, we want to help these baby ducks,' she said. 'They were under stress too.' In the end, Chandra said all the ducks made it out safely and were reunited with their mom. 'We made sure that they were all safe,' she said. 'They all returned to the bush that they came from. It was a happy ending.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Off-duty firefighter helped save children in bus crash
A school coach carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School crashed on the A936 near Wheddon Cross, Somerset, on Thursday afternoon. The coach, returning from Exmoor Zoo, flipped and slid 20ft down an embankment, resulting in a complex and difficult incident for emergency services. One child tragically died at the scene, while 21 others sustained injuries, with two children airlifted to hospital in serious conditions. An off-duty firefighter, who was travelling behind the coach, was praised for immediately assisting in freeing passengers from the wreckage. Emergency services, including 20 ambulances, three air ambulances, fire crews, and police, responded to the incident, and an investigation into its cause is underway.
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Boy who survived school trip tragedy reveals what happened moments after bus crash killed classmate
A YOUNG boy who survived a school bus crash that killed his classmate has spoken about what happened in the moments after. A child sadly died when the coach full of pupils veered off the road at around 3pm yesterday. 7 7 7 7 7 Two children were rushed to hospital by air after the devastating accident in Somerset yesterday. Laying flowers with his mum Kim outside his school, Jayden, who was on the bus that flipped, said he doesn't remember much. "I just remember climbing up the hill to get back on the road," he said. His mum said she became frantic when Jayden didn't arrive at his gran's house at 4pm on Thursday. "I'm just so grateful to have my baby home," she told the BBC. Kim phoned the school, but said they were unable to say if her son was on the bus. A friend later called the mum and said she was at the scene with Jayden. "It's just that not knowing if they're ok, if they're safe, if they got off the bus," she said. Kim said the heroic off-duty firefighter who helped passengers had a daughter on the bus. It later emerged that the firefighter was travelling behind the coach and was able to start freeing passengers straight away. Kim thanked the hospital staff who gave the children "lego and teddies". But Kim said she now has to break the news of the child's death to Jayden. "He's lost a friend." Some 21 casualties were taken to hospital by land and air after the accident. The bus driver is in hospital in a stable condition, but suffering from a number of injuries. The bus came off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue trapped passengers. Gavin Ellis, Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We were mobilised to a major incident to a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slip approximately 20ft (6.1m) down an embankment. "I'm grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach at the point of the collision who was able to start taking immediate [action] to start releasing those casualties from the bus." He added: "Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and he also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment. "This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I'm grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped as quickly as safely as possible." Two people were left seriously injured following the crash, which saw the coach filled with pupils from Minehead Middle School leave the road. The year five pupils were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo in nearby Devon. Lucky Emily Manning, 10, climbed on board the 70-seater after an end of term trip to the zoo but was told to get off because it was already full. She got on the first of the two coaches instead and arrived home safely. But the second coach veered off the road, flipped onto its roof and careered down a 20ft embankment. Minehead Middle School's website states that pupils in that year group (aged nine to 10) were due to visit the zoo as part of the school's "Enrichment Week" activities. Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust said: "It is with deep sadness and heartbreak that we confirm that a pupil from Minehead Middle School has tragically died following a road traffic incident earlier today involving a coach carrying pupils and staff returning from an educational visit. "A number of other people have been taken to hospital, some of them with serious injuries. This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance. "Our entire school community are devastated by this news, and we will do everything we can to support everyone affected. "We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities, and we will support our pupils, staff, and families at this incredibly difficult time." Three helicopters, deployed by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, joined police air crews. Some casualties were then taken by air ambulance to hospital in Bristol. Gavin Ellis, the chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said the coach "overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment". In a press conference outside Minehead Middle School, cops confirmed that they were called at 2.58pm to the "very complex and technically difficult scene". Parents - who had been summoned to the school by police - were seen visibly upset as they waited outside the building. Police confirmed that 21 casualties had been rushed to hospital, although the "large majority of passengers" were taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross. Eight fire engines, two specialist rescue appliances and around 60 firefighters were deployed to the scene. South Western Ambulance Service deployed 20 double crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams. Cops estimate around 60 to 70 people were onboard the coach when it left the road. Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey said in a statement: "Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday's tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school. "Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours. "I can confirm that the driver is himself in a stable condition in hospital, but with a number of injuries. We are in contact with his wife and family, and have offered ongoing support." He added that staff at the company are being supported and he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council Mr Prior-Sankey said a decision had been made not to run any school routes into Minehead today, and that ongoing discussions will be had over the coming days concerning any other affected routes or contracts. Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute after the tragic death of the child, saying: "A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset. "There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. "All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected. "Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace — I'm being kept up to date on this situation." 7 7
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
More than €10,000 raised for legal defence of Dublin firefighter accused of rape in Boston
A fundraiser set up for the legal defence of a Dublin firefighter accused of raping a woman in the United States has raised more than €10,000. Terence Crosbie (38) is alleged to have raped the woman in a Boston hotel last year after visiting the city with colleagues as part of the St Patrick's Day celebrations. He pleaded not guilty and went on trial last month, insisting he had no contact whatsoever with the 29-year-old woman. The trial ended in a hung jury following more than 22 hours of deliberations. The firefighter was remanded in custody pending a retrial. READ MORE On Thursday, an online fundraiser was set up by 'family, friends and colleagues' of Mr Crosbie to gather money for his continued legal defence. The intended beneficiary is named as Mr Crosbie's wife. The fundraiser stated Mr Crosbie was 'facing serious legal proceedings in the United States, a foreign country where the legal system is unfamiliar and the costs are staggering', but it did not mention the nature of the charges. 'Terry's loved ones have poured everything they have into supporting him, but the continuing legal costs – attorney's fees, expert witnesses, trial preparation – are simply too great,' the fundraiser stated, alongside a photograph of Mr Crosbie by the Twin Towers memorial in New York. 'Without immediate support, Terry may lose the very legal team that knows his case best and has worked tirelessly to defend him. That would not only delay his case further, prolonging his unjust confinement, but would risk the fairness of the proceedings altogether.' It also stated he 'is a devoted husband, a loving father, and a kind and loyal friend' and that his wife and daughters 'are counting down the days until they can hold him again'. The fundraiser is seeking to raise $45,000 (€38,500). In just over a day, there have been $12,138 in donations, the equivalent of about €10,500, from 64 people. Mr Crosbie has been detained in Nashua Street Jail in Boston since his arrest last year. Following his most recent trial, the judge increased his bail from $10,000 to $50,000, declaring him a flight risk. That trial heard Mr Crosbie was one of more than 10 members of Dublin Fire Brigade who flew into Boston on March 14th last year to take part in the St Patrick's Day parade. The woman alleged that later that night she met one of Mr Crosbie's colleagues at The Black Rose bar, returned with him to the Omni Parker House hotel, had consensual sex and fell asleep in separate beds. She alleged she awoke to a man she did not know raping her. Prosecutors said the complainant's testimony that she 'woke up' with a man raping her was supported by CCTV footage of Mr Crosbie entering the hotel room at the time in question and then the complainant leaving 20 minutes later. Mr Crosbie denied any assault, insisting through his attorneys, police interviews and his own testimony that he 'didn't touch' the woman. 'There was nobody in my bed – my bed was empty,' Mr Crosbie told the court. 'I had no physical or sexual contact with her at all.' His defence team called into question DNA evidence collected from the woman. Analysts found two male profiles, but could not conclusively identify Mr Crosbie as the second male contributor.
