Latest news with #reservoir
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Body found in reservoir after father and son fell into water
A body has been found in a reservoir after a father and son fell into the water and a major search was launched. The pair fell into Draycote Water in Rugby, Warwickshire, on Thursday afternoon, after their boat capsized. The teenage son was rescued by two members of the public. He was not injured in the incident. However, a major search operation was launched for his father, involving multiple police forces, fire and rescue services, and search and rescue services. A body was found in the reservoir on Friday evening. Warwickshire Police said it is believed to be that of the father. The force added that the death is not being treated as suspicious. Local Area Commander for Rugby, Chief Inspector Angus Eagles said on Friday: 'Our thoughts are very much with the man's family at this incredibly difficult time and I would ask that their privacy continues to be respected. 'Since yesterday, an intensive search operation has been underway that has seen a range of specialist search tactics and technology being used. I don't underestimate the impact this tragic incident, and the large-scale search operation will have had on local people and businesses. Thank you all for your patience and understanding while our officers worked tirelessly to find the man. 'Special thanks also goes to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue, Warwickshire Search and Rescue, West Mercia Search and Rescue, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police, and Severn Trent – all of whom have played an integral role in supporting our extensive search efforts.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fears of 'water rationing' without controversial reservoir, government claims
Oxfordshire campaigners against plans for a mega reservoir near Abingdon have dismissed government claims Britain will face water shortages. Water Minister Emma Hardy warned that the country will face 'water rationing like we have in the Mediterranean' without new reservoirs. It comes as controversial plans to start on massive infrastructure projects near Abingdon are pushed ahead by Labour with the South East Strategic Reservoir south west of the town expected to be nearly as big as Gatwick Airport, holding 150 billion litres of water. READ MORE: Murder probe after death of 40-year-old woman in Abingdon The minister suggested that water shortages could hit households and businesses in the next decade if the government fails to build new artificial lakes as she unveiled plans to speed up the planning approvals process. Abingdon Reservoir has been a controversial project for more than a decade (Image: Thames Water) The government plans to bring in legislation that make reservoir proposals 'nationally significant' in terms of planning, giving ministers, rather than local councils, the final say on whether projects go ahead. At the same time, Environment Secretary Steve Reed intervened to bring two projects planned in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire into the 'nationally significant' category. Flash Sale Alert! 🌟 Dive deeper into the stories that shape Oxfordshire with Oxford Mail. Unlimited local news, an ad-free app, and a digital replica of our print edition—all with 80 per cent fewer ads on our site. 🗞️ 👇#StayInformed — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) May 26, 2025 But campaigners against the Abingdon project said the changes were for nothing. READ MORE: Abingdon locals 'worried' as Abbey Gardens shut by police Derek Stork, spokesperson for Group Against Reservoir Development or GARD, said: 'This statement is just the government trying to look as though it is taking action, when really it's not taking action at all. 'These reservoirs, as is the case with the SESRO proposal, were already nationally significant projects so won't be sped-up.' Water minister Emma Hardy meets schoolchildren (Image: West Oxfordshire District Council) Mr Stork said that the government already took control of the Abingdon reservoir project by approving the development consent order, to allow the £2.7million project to go ahead without a public enquiry. GARD, along with organisations Safer Waters and CPRE Oxfordshire, will be appealing this decision at a High Court judicial review hearing, scheduled for two days starting June 26. READ MORE: Red Arrows to fly over Oxfordshire: When and where to watch Mr Stork said: 'We started off opposing this reservoir, but what we've got round to is the system is just totally not fit for purpose. That's why we're taking the government to court. This reservoir is only symptomatic of what's wrong with the system.' 'We think the way these mega projects are proposed and analysed is totally wrong. We can't find valid justifications for it – because they aren't there. 'A successful public inquiry into against the biggest project is what's going to change the government's thinking about this. 'By winning the public inquiry we hope not only to defeat SESRO, but also to change the system. That decision would really resonate.' READ MORE: Police urge public to avoid popular Oxfordshire park Current plans are for the reservoir to be delivered by Thames Water to supply water in the southeast. This is the second attempt at building the mega reservoir, after an attempt under the Conservative government failed following a public enquiry in 2010. Thames Water previously said it 'welcomes the government's plans to improve infrastructure across the region'.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Body found in search for girl, 13, who plunged into reservoir dam in front of her horrified father while snapping a photograph
A body has been found in the search for a missing girl who plunged into a reservoir dam in front of her father.
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Girl, 13, ‘posing for photos with her dad on half-term walk around reservoir' when she fell in water as search mounts
A SCHOOLGIRL who fell into the water at a reservoir was taking pictures with her dad while enjoying a half-term walk, according to witnesses. The 13-year-old vanished after falling into the water at Baitings Dam near Ripponden, West Yorkshire, yesterday afternoon. 4 4 4 Cops and emergency crews have been desperately scouring the reservoir to try and find the missing teenager but have yet to discover any signs of her. Witnesses have described how the teenager had "a really bright future" and that she had been enjoying a half-term walk with her dad when tragedy struck. Sue Ferris, 80, who has lived in a house directly overlooking the parapet for 20 years, helped comfort the girl's family yesterday afternoon after witnessing her fall. Mrs Ferris said: "The little girl was posing for photographs before this happened. Her dad had been taking the photographs." After speaking to the girl's family, she said that they told her the teenager was 13 years old and from Halifax, around six miles north-east of the dam. Mrs Ferris explained: "She had decided that she wanted to walk round the reservoir with her dad because it was half term, but the rest of the family hadn't wanted to go. "She had just got into grammar school, they told me. They were very proud of her. She had a really bright future. "It was just dad and daughter at the reservoir when she fell in. The rest of the family came after the accident. "Dad had been taking photographs, according to a witness, and he also heard dad screaming and shouting her name after she fell in - but he did not go into the water. "He had some kind of heart problem and was clutching his chest soon afterwards and was taken away by ambulance." Mrs Ferris criticised the safety at the dam, saying changes had encouraged people to stand on the wall next to the water. She said: "It is disgraceful that there are no life buoy rings anywhere on the parapet. "Yorkshire Water added the white metal railings on top of the stone structure some years ago now. "But it only adds about half a foot to the barrier height and actually helps people to climb onto the wall. "It gives them something to grip on to. "All it is doing, is helping people to stand on the wall." Mrs Ferris explained that the reservoir is typically much deeper but that recent dry weather had revealed the beach - which is usually submerged. She said that a firefighter told her yesterday the depth of the water - where the teenager fell - was 140ft. Mrs Ferris added she comforted the girl's sister and mother, offering them tea and water as rescue divers trawled the waters. DESPERATE SEARCH CONTINUES TODAY Cops had first been called to the reservoir at around 1.20pm on Wednesday, with crews remaining throughout the afternoon and evening to try and find the missing girl. Police Regional Marine and Underwater Search teams then returned to the dam this morning to recommence the search for the teenager. Two RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) were seen at the site earlier today, following the teenager's estimated 30ft fall from the parapet of the dam into the reservoir. A police cordon is in place preventing the public from walking around Baitings Dam. There appears to be no way to climb out of the reservoir other than to swim some considerable distance to the shoreline. And there also appear to be no orange lifebuoy rings on or around the dam wall. Four West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue crews were at the dam yesterday, assisted by Littleborough crew. And, Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed they sent officers from their Hazardous Area Response Team. A police spokesperson said on Wednesday: "Shortly after 1.17pm this afternoon police were called to a report a girl had fallen into water at Baitings Dam near Ripponden. "Emergency services are currently on the scene, with searches ongoing to locate the girl. Anyone who has any information which could assist ongoing searches is asked to contact Calderdale District Police online or by calling 101 referencing police log 797 of today. 4
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Police release CCTV of pair they would like to speak to after couple in their 70s died when their car plunged into a reservoir
Police have called upon a pair they would like to speak to as witnesses after a couple died when their car sank into a reservoir. A road collision saw the pensioners, husband and wife John and Marilyn Saxon, both aged 78, dead after the car was found in Crook Gate Reservoir in Denshaw, Manchester on 15 March. Emergency crews rushed to the accident at around 10 am but the couple were already dead at the scene and later recovered from the water that day. From enquiries so far, officers believe the car left the carriageway before being located in the reservoir. Following a previous CCTV appeal earlier this week they were able to identify the two witnesses who we were previously appealing for help to locate. Officers have now released a further CCTV image of two more witnesses they would like to speak to who were also in the area around 7pm the day before the couple were found as it is believed they may have information that could assist the investigation. In a tribute, a spokesperson for their family said: 'The family of John and Marilyn want to pay tribute to a kind, caring and generous husband and wife who sadly passed away following an incident at the reservoir on Saturday. 'The family ask for privacy during this difficult time.' Greater Manchester Police said: 'Police were called following reports of a fatal road traffic collision after a car was located in Crook Gate Reservoir in Denshaw on 15 March 2025, officers attended and two people, a man and a woman in their 70s, were sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 'From enquiries so far, officers believe the car left the carriageway before being located in Crook Gate reservoir. 'Officers are now in a position in their investigation to release a further CCTV image of two more witnesses they would like to speak to who were also at Junction Inn car park, Rochdale Road in Denshaw at around 7pm on 14 March 2025 and it is believed they may have information, as witnesses, that could assist investigators. 'If you are the individuals in the image, know who they are, or can provide any information about this incident please contact us, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit can be contacted on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 851-150325.'
