Oxford News
Oxford boy 11th person to die in water during heatwave
The 14-year-old has been confirmed dead after the incident at Donnington Bridge at around 5.45pm, becoming the 11th person to die in water during this month’s heatwave.
READ MORE: Oxford teenage boy dies after River Thames incident
This follows those of at least 10 other people in incidents in the sea, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, around the country during the heatwave.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire breaks temperature records after 82 years
Thames Valley Police said the Oxford death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious and its investigation is ongoing.
A statement issued on Thursday said: “His family have been informed and offered support. Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.”
READ MORE: Major emergency response on Oxford Donnington Bridge
Around 20 land, water and air emergency vehicles responded to the 5.45pm report in total, including police, ambulance and fire.
Seven police cars and a helicopter were first seen in the area shortly after 6pm.
The first day of Oxford University Boat Club’s Summer Eights ‘bumps’ races then concluded earlier than expected at around 6.42pm, according to online commentary, before the bridge was closed.
Shortly afterwards, rowers and spectators were asked to move away from the span, riverbanks and the Longbridge’s boathouse area as the emergency response intensified.
By this point, there were said to be at least 20 emergency vehicles, with one eyewitness saying they counted 11 police cars, four fire engines, two ambulance trucks, two ambulance cars and a helicopter.
An eye witness said college crews that had already passed Donnington Bridge towards the start by Iffley Lock were not allowed to row home.
By about 8.30pm, one crew was still stranded in its boat near Iffley Lock while others had left their boats and were waiting to be picked up near Donnington Bridge.
The bridge was reopened with one eyewitness, who was on their way home from work across the bridge, saying a fire engine and four police cars remained on the bridge as officers spoke to people and asked cyclists to dismount and walk.
At least eight children have died across the country, with the youngest being 12-year-old Junior Slater in Kent, and the oldest being a 72-year-old grandfather from Cornwall.
Some of the hottest meteorological spring temperatures were recorded in the UK, including in Oxfordshire, which saw record-breaking highs of 33.6C in Benson, near Wallingford.
This newspaper has launched a Book of Condolence online for people to leave their tributes to the boy who died on Wednesday in Oxford.
Eric Pradel has lived in Charlbury in the same property, within the conservation area, for the last 25 years.
In February, Thames Water installed a large, black telemetry pillar within inches of his home to allow the company to monitor water flow, pressure, and other critical data.
Images show the bollard installed into black tarmac and leaning towards his listed limestone home.
He says every subcontractor which has visited the structure has “commented on the poor workmanship and lack of care on the placement”.
One who visited on Wednesday (May 27) questioned “if the installation crew had been drunk”.
Despite multiple attempts in contacting Thames Water, asking them to reconsider the placement, he has had no response.
He said: “They are not concerned that it has been installed in such a shoddy way.”
READ MORE: Alleged attacks on children at field sparks concern from parents
Mr Pradel has also been in contact with West Oxfordshire District Council, asking for their help to “move this to a more sympathetic location”.
He said: “We would need to get permission if we were to make even a minor alteration to the front of our property, and yet, Thames Water needed no permission whatsoever to install this pillar wherever they pleased.
“West Oxfordshire District Council seem powerless or unwilling to fight them on it.”
Both authorities have been contacted for a comment.
Richard joined GMB in 2017 as a stand-in presenter before stepping into a permanent role in 2021.
Earlier this year, bosses at ITV announced that Richard would become one of the programme’s lead presenters.
However, the TV host has recently revealed that he’s unsure of his future at ITV and on GMB due to budget cuts and audience numbers.
Richard Madeley says GMB’s future is uncertain
Richard recently appeared on The Media Show on BBC Radio 4 to discuss his new documentary, Inside The World’s Mega Prison.
During his time on the show, he was asked about the future of TV, sharing, “I don’t know (if the TV he has worked in will survive into the future).
“It’s a bit like the last days of the Roman Empire now in television, and particularly in commercial television.
“I mean, the new DG [Director General] was talking about the funding cuts he’s going to have to make, that’s what’s happened on GMB and daytime television on ITV.
“Our budgets have been slashed because the audiences have shrunk.
“So I don’t know, I may not be in this position in a year or two from now, but I hope I am.”
Previously, ITV announced it would be making redundancies and budget cuts across its daytime programmes like GMB, Lorraine, Loose Women and This Morning.
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Away from GMB, Richard was also asked if he would ever start his own YouTube channel, replying, “Oh, it’s too much like hard work. No, I’m an old-fashioned geezer.
“I’m very happy just getting in a car, toddling down to work, doing the job and going home and having a bacon butty. I’m not really interested in buying a business.”
Do you watch GMB? Let us know in the comments.
Led by Evan Dando, the US alt-rock band will perform at the Oxford O2 Academy on September 24, during their expanded European tour in September and October.
The newly added UK dates bring the total number of performances in the country to 17.
It follows the release of their first studio album of original material in nearly 20 years, titled Love Chant.
Dando expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming tour, particularly highlighting the significance of playing in the UK.
He said: “Touring is a huge part of my existence, and playing in the UK makes me extra happy.
“You’ve always made me feel so welcome, so I can’t wait to reconnect with you guys.”
Joining The Lemonheads as a special guest will be American singer-songwriter Willy Mason, known for his unique blend of folk and indie rock.
Mason, looking forward to the tour, said: “We’re tuning up our resonances to hit the road with The Lemonheads in our most fertile form.
“We’re on a mission to move molecules and make them boogie.
“Can’t wait, it’s gonna be a hoot.”
The Lemonheads were formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1986 by Dando and have seen a variety of members throughout the years, including Descendents, Blakes Babies, and Dinosaur Jr.
Their fourth album, ‘Lovey,’ marked a significant shift in their musical style, introducing more mellow moments and radio-friendly singles.
The band gained popularity with subsequent albums, ‘It’s A Shame About Ray’ and ‘Come On Feel The Lemonheads,’ producing hits like ‘Into Your Arms.’
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