Oxford News
Major emergency response as woman falls into Oxford river
Multiple police and fire service vehicles were seen yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, May 13) on the Eastern Bypass Road, near to Redbridge.
They were responding to reports that a person had fallen into the River Isis, the Oxford stretch of the River Thames.
An eyewitness who drove past the scene said: “Huge incident at Redbridge. Eleven emergency vehicles and people getting into river.”
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This morning police and the fire service have clarified what occurred.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 15:40, sending three fire engines and a specialist rescue vehicle to eastern bypass, Isis bridge, after a report of a person entering the water near the bridge.
“The individual was assisted out of the water. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service departed at approximately 16:30.”
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Yesterday afternoon, Thames Valley Police responded alongside our colleagues from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service to an incident on the Eastern Bypass.
“Emergency services were called following reports of a woman who had entered the river.
“Thanks to the swift actions and professionalism of our fire service colleagues, a rescue team was quickly assembled, and the woman was safely recovered from the water.
“We are pleased to confirm that she did not sustain any long-lasting injuries and received prompt medical attention at the scene.
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“In order to ensure the safety of both the public and emergency responders, a temporary single-lane closure was put in place on the bypass while paramedics provided care.
“We would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding while we dealt with this incident.
“Your safety remains our priority, and we appreciate your continued support.”
Karl Barratt, of no fixed abode, is wanted by Thames Valley Police for ‘further offending’ in Oxford.
The force has issued an appeal to the public to help find the 39-year-old in Oxford, and has released his mugshot to help identify him.
Barratt is described by police as a white man of slim build with short, fair blond hair.
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He is known to frequent Redbridge Hollow, Abingdon Road, Kennington and Warwickshire.
Investigating officer, PC Jon Kelly of the Integrated Offender Management Department, said “We are appealing for the public’s help in tracing Karl Barratt.
“Barratt is currently wanted on recall to prison and we are very keen to identify his whereabouts to prevent further offending and safeguard the local community.
“If you see him, please do not approach him, instead call 999.
“However, if you have information as to his whereabouts then please add it to our online reporting page quoting reference 43260208196.
“Or if you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, who will take your information 100 per cent anonymously.”
St Nicholas Church of England School in Wallingford has been listed as ‘price on asking’ with the site expected to become vacant in September.
The 1.9-acre area has operated as a school since 1962 when planning permission for the buildings and its dedicated access road was granted.
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In 1969 consent was also secured for a proposed nursery school on the southern part of the grounds – now the existing grassed play area – which was never constructed.
However early-years provision was later incorporated within the 170-pupil school itself and, from September, it will be teaching reception, year one, year two and year three pupils.
In the future the organisation – which cites its ‘Christian ethos’ on its website – will also accept kids up to year six as it moves to a larger site on the Highcroft housing development.
A statement on the school’s website said: “We will be moving to a brand new school site on the Highcroft housing development and are scheduled to open in September 2026.
“The move will enable us to extend our age range, and we will grow to become a full primary school for the Wallingford community.”
Since 1969 the existing building on St Nicholas Road has seen only minor, school-related planning activity, including permissions for temporary classroom buildings and lightweight canopy structures.
The listing states: “Importantly, no major redevelopment proposals have been brought forward, leaving the site largely unchanged and offering a rare opportunity for a fresh vision to be realised.
“The existing school buildings extend to approximately 1,200 sq m (12,917 sq ft) of single-storey accommodation (including canopy areas).
“The layout provides a well-balanced mix of classroom, administrative and support spaces, making the site highly adaptable for a range of future uses.”
The Highcroft housing development is being built near Wantage Road by property developers Berkeley.
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It will contain 555 homes and last year there was a ground-breaking ceremony for the school which saw demonstrations for pupils about the construction process.
Headteacher of St Nicholas, Amy King, said at the time: “It’s fantastic for the children to have the opportunity to visit the site and to see our new school being built.”
She added: “The plan for the new school has been in development for a long time and so it’s really exciting to see it start to take shape and to have had so much involvement in planning what it will offer the children.”
The Six Bells in Mill Street has submitted plans to Cherwell District Council to install two illuminated signs to the front of its pub and three to an existing post near the entrance.
It also plans to change the render from cream to green and the colour of its windows from white to cream.
The largest sign, 1.6m long and 1.3m high, would be on the front of the building facing the street. It depicts a set of six free cut bells which will be illuminated by two 30 watt LED flood lights.
An amenity sign, which is 1.1m high and 0.7m in length, would be fixed to the bottom left of the façade. This will be replicated on both sides at the bottom of an existing post.
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On the same post a 1.1m high and 0.8m long sign which shows the set of free cut bells and the pub name, will be fixed to a bracket from the top, which is illuminated from the top by two electric lights.
The keys to the Six Bells were handed to new landlords Nigel Worth and his partner Claire Brewis in October 2025 after being closed for just two days.
The planning authority is expected to make a decision by June 4.
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