21/07/2009

Other News In Brief

Drowned Dad Named

A father who drowned after being caught out by a rip tide as he boogie boarded with his teenage son, was named last night as Nigel Hayes from Chelmsford in Essex. The Hayes family was on holiday and had been staying at a local apartment in the surfing town.

Flu Kids Leave Chinese Quarantine

The first batch of British school pupils quarantined in China after members of their group contracted swine flu has been released. A total of 20 students and three teachers were allowed to leave Yanxiang Hotel after seven days of restrictions. They were under observation after a number of students on a tour of China fell ill with the virus.

Sword Robbers Sought

Two people were assaulted by robbers who forced their way into a pub, apparently armed with a samurai sword and baseball bats. North Wales Police said three men forced their way into the The Coach and Horses in Flint Mountain, Flintshire, as it closed for the night. A customer and staff member were attacked in the raid and later taken to hospital. Officers said cash was taken during the robbery at around 1am on Monday. They said the three men forced their way into the pub as it was closing, threatened an employee and demanded cash. Police are asking for information as they hunt the men.

Power Still Out

Engineers are still working to restore electricity to about 66,000 homes on the south-east London/Kent border. Up to 100,000 properties in Erith, Orpington, Dartford, Bexleyheath and Crayford were left without power after a suspected vandal attack. A fire on a cable bridge damaged four major electricity circuits on Monday. EDF Energy worked throughout the night to restore power and set up generators but they anticipate some will be without power until Wednesday morning.

Scottish Spark Dies

A workman has died following an industrial accident in a cafe in a Moray town. It is believed the 48-year-old man was an electrician carrying out work at Cafe Ecosse in Elgin's High Street when the accident happened on Monday. Grampian Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the cause of the incident. The man has yet to be named. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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