News

11 passengers left injured after ‘freak turbulence’ onboard jet bound for Manchester

The plane was diverted to Bermuda.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 27th December 2023

11 passengers on board a jet bound for Manchester Airport have been left injured after an incident of “freak turbulence”, it has been revealed.

Around 225 people who had previously been on a P&O Caribbean cruise over the festive season were onboard the Maleth Aero flight – which departed from Barbados – were expected to arrive in Manchester shortly before 6am on Christmas Eve (24 December).

But after an incident of turbulence described as being “unexpected” and “freak” occurred, pilots made the decision to divert the plane to Bermuda.

The turbulence was said to have happened about two hours after the plane departed, a P&O spokesperson has confirmed, and a total of 11 passengers received treatment for minor injuries after the plane landed, BBC News reports.

The 13 crew members on board the flight were confirmed to have been unharmed following the incident.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Maleth Aero passenger charter plane / Credit: Maleth Aero

The Airbus A300-200 charter airline had been due to return its several hundred passengers home just in time for Christmas Day, but instead, they had to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the majority of Boxing Day in Bermuda before eventually boarding a plane to Manchester Airport late yesterday afternoon.

A P&O spokesperson explained that passengers were accommodated in hotels in Bermuda over the festive period due to “airport operating times” and a lack of flight availabilities.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Following freak unexpected turbulence, a flight from Barbados to Manchester was diverted to Bermuda on Sunday morning,” the P&O spokesperson confirmed in a statement.

Read more:

“We are very sorry for this disruption to the journey following their holiday and we worked round the clock with the airline and hotels to take care of the guests, and to ensure they get home as soon as possible.”

Featured Image – Maleth Aero

News

2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Marathon raises millions for city economy and local charity

Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.

This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.

As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.

Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.

The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.

Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie. 

Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.

Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.

The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.

Fundraising from the Manchester Marathon is one of it’s biggest upshots.

Read more:

This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.

This was a 20% increase on 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.

With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons. 

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group

News

Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester firefighter surprise proposal recruit passing out parade

We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.

Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.

The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.

Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…

Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.

As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.

You already know the rest.

Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.

You just love to see it.

Read more:

Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.

If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.

All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

More News

Peter Kay statement after Co-op Live gigs cancelled for the second time

Gigs & Nightlife

Peter Kay’s statement in full as his Co-op Live gigs are postponed for SECOND time

Co-op Live postpone The Black Keys and Peter Kay gigs again

Audio

Manchester’s Co-op Live arena postpones The Black Keys and Peter Kay (again)

Gary is outta here.

Audio

Co-op Live boss resigns just days before venue’s official opening

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches