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Trains from Manchester ‘extremely limited’ amid record heatwave

Passengers are advised not to travel unless 'absolutely essential'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 25th June 2026

‘Extremely limited’ train services are running across the North West this week as the country melts in a record-breaking heatwave.

Northern has reached out to passengers to warn that a ‘significantly reduced’ number of trains are operating in and out of Manchester.

They’re urging people to avoid travelling at all unless your journey is ‘absolutely essential’.

And if you do have to travel, they’ve warned of ‘significantly longer waiting times, busy trains and short-notice cancellations’.

The disruption is set to continue all day today and into tomorrow, Friday 26 June, as temperatures up north are forecast to hit 34ºC and an Amber weather warning for extreme heat covers much of the country.

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Northern has assured passengers that they ‘are doing everything we can to keep people moving as efficiently as possible’.

Passengers are encouraged to check their journey before setting off, carry water, and avoid peak times where possible.

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If you chose not to take a planned journey, you can claim a full refund on your ticket, or travel on another day using Northern’s ticket easement.

Trains from Manchester 'extremely limited' amid record heatwave
Trains from Manchester ‘extremely limited’ amid record heatwave. Credit: Northern

You can see the full travel advice for Northern HERE.

Avanti has issued a similar message, reducing one train per hour on the London-Manchester route and offering refunds for tickets booked for Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24, Thursday 25 or Friday 26 June.

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You can also use those tickets to travel flexibly any time up to and including Tuesday 30 June.

Northern said in a notice to passengers: “Due to the continued extreme heat, we have significantly reduced the number of trains running on routes in and out of Manchester, and services remain in high demand. This will now continue into Friday, 26 June.

“We strongly recommend customers consider whether their journey is necessary and if customers do choose to travel this week, they are advised to prepare for significantly longer waiting times, busy trains and short-notice cancellations.

“We would ask all customers to only travel if your journey is absolutely essential and to check your full journey before setting off.”

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Featured image: Northern

News

Wigan woman jailed after running man over THREE times

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Wigan woman Megan Murphy jailed after running man over THREE times

A woman in Wigan has been jailed for six years after she ran over a man three times.

Megan Murphy, 26, failed to see Darryl Tomlinson lying in the road, where he had collapsed, because she failed to clear her windscreen and windows of ice.

Despite passers-by calling out to Murphy to try and alert her to the man’s presence, but she was unable to see what they were indicating to through her visibly frozen windows.

She then drove forward, passing over Darryl, 31, before reversing back over him moments later.

Murphy then drove forward again, passing the front wheel of her vehicle over Darryl for a third time and leaving him trapped beneath the driver’s side of the car.

The tragic incident occurred at around 5.47am on Thursday 9 January 2025, with the driver reversing down an alleyway onto Pembroke Road, positioning her vehicle facing against the direction of the one-way street.

Chillingly, after running Darryl over, Murphy then called a friend to ask for help – she said: “I’ve ran him over but it’s a smackhead.”

A witness called an ambulance, who alerted the police.

In this time, she attempted to defrost her car windows while the victim remained trapped beneath her car.

Upon arrival, police officers used a witness’s car jack to free Darryl from beneath the vehicle and began administering CPR, but he was pronounced dead at approximately 6.21am by NWAS.

Megan Murphy was sentenced to six years imprisonment at Bolton Crown Court yesterday, after she pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

CCTV evidence from two days prior to the collision showed Murphy driving the wrong way down the same one-way street, but when questioned by officers, Murphy could not explain why her vehicle was facing the wrong direction.

The court heard Darryl’s family bravely share their victim impact statement.

Darryl’s mum said: “Darryl was my first born, I gave birth to him at 26 weeks weighing only 2lb 4oz, he was so small. I didn’t think he would make it but being the little fighter that he was, he did and overcame all obstacles and became a loving and caring young man.

“Darryl would do anything for anyone and from being able to walk he loved football.

“I struggle to put into words how I feel about losing my son, and all I can say is that I really don’t feel anything anymore since losing Darryl. Whether I go to work or just go out, I try to laugh and joke and put on a brave face but in fact I am just empty inside like something is missing, and that’s Darryl.”

Darryl’s dad said: “The day Darryl was taken from us on 9th Jan 2025, my life changed forever.

“I felt as though I had died inside but as still breathing. My heart had been totally ripped out. You cannot explain the loss of a child unless you have suffered it. It’s a pain and emptiness like nothing you will ever experience.

“I talk to Darryl every single day shedding tears every time. It hasn’t gotten any easier, I’m just learning to live without him as no one ever prepares to lose a child.

Darryl’s brother said: “Where do I start… Never did I think I would have to write a Victim Impact Statement about my brother. Darryl was not just my brother, he was my best friend, my idol, my biggest supporter, and since the day my brother got taken away from me, I feel like he took a piece of me with him.

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“I can’t and never will understand why this person responsible for my brother’s death did not defrost her window and drove the wrong way down a one-way street with no vision.

“To then learn that she made a phone call to a friend claiming, “I’ve ran him over but it’s a smackhead” and not even phoned for an ambulance has hurt me more.”

Detective Constable Carl Boydell from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This was a truly tragic and entirely avoidable incident that has resulted in the devastating loss of a life.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with Darryl’s family and loved ones as they continue to come to terms with what has happened.

“This outcome reflects just how seriously the courts treat dangerous driving. Motorists have a responsibility to always follow the rules of the road and to ensure their vehicle is safe before setting off.

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“Even in cold weather, taking the time to properly clear windows and ensure full visibility is essential. If you cannot see clearly, you cannot drive safely.”

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Featured image: GMP

News

Investigation launched after man ‘brutally’ murdered at Peak District stone circle on summer solstice

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A murder investigation has been launched after a man’s life was taken in ‘the most brutal way’ following a summer solstice event.

The investigation has been launched after Derbyshire Police were called to reports of a man’s body being found at Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District at 1:38pm on Monday 22 June, and when emergency services attended the scene, a 26-year-old man was found and pronounced dead.

The man has been named as Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham, and police say his family are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.

Police are now searching to understand the circumstances around his death.

A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, and he remains in custody for questioning.

Investigators say they remain ‘keen’ to hear from anyone who was at the site over the weekend – which was notably the weekend of the summer solstice – as well as anyone with video footage from the event, and dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and leaving over the weekend.

A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up where members of the public can send information to police directly.

“I am urgently appealing for anyone who attended the summer solstice event over the weekend to please speak to officers as soon as they can,” commented Detective Inspector Tony Owen from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading the investigation.

“A young man’s life has been taken in the most brutal way, so it is vital that myself and the team build up a clear picture of the exact circumstances surrounding his death and this is why we urgently need to speak to everyone who was at the scene over the weekend.

“You may have only been there briefly and think you can’t help but you could hold the key piece of information we need to understand what has happened and help us to get justice for this young man’s family.

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“So I would ask, please, that if you attended the event, you contact us urgently so we can build up a picture of the event itself and what has led to this man’s death. I also really urge anyone who captured video footage from the event over the weekend to please come forward.

“You could play a key role in helping us with this murder investigation.”

Featured Image -Wikimedia Commons

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