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Rochdale couple rescued from Yorkshire hilltop in ‘treacherous conditions’ after 60-mile lockdown trip

Volunteer rescuers scaled the peak to locate the "cold and shaken couple" and brought them back to ground safely.

The Manc The Manc - 12th January 2021
Wikimedia Commons

A couple from Rochdale on a 60-mile lockdown trip had to be rescued from the summit of one of Yorkshire’s three peaks.

The two “ill-equipped” weekend walkers got into difficultly at the summit of Ingleborough on Sunday and lost their way due to low lying fog, ice and snow, meaning they needed to be rescued from the top of the peak by local mountain rescuers.

The worried walkers contacted the police at 4:30pm asking for help as they could not locate the paths due to the failing light and the wintery conditions, and recognising the specialist nature of the job, the police called upon the experience and skill of the Cave Rescue Organisation to assist.

The volunteer rescuers scaled the peak to locate the “cold and shaken couple” and brought them back to ground safely.

Police said the pair’s actions were “not necessary and not acceptable”.

North Yorkshire Police had previously turned visitors away from the popular beauty spot that weekend, and Superintendent Mike Walker said officers had been “run off their feet” as they dealt with “numerous out-of-area visitors” to the area.

He continued: “This couple were incredibly fortunate to have come through this experience without injury and be able to tell the tale.

“We very clearly advised members of the public this weekend to stay at home and when taking exercise, stay local to stop the spread of COVID [and] quite simply, driving miles and miles out of your village, town or city to visit an open space is not a necessary journey and is not acceptable.

“Neither is arriving at a challenging walking location, inexperienced and unprepared in treacherous weather conditions.

“By making an irresponsible and ill-informed decision, the safety of others such as the Cave Rescue Organisation volunteers is also put in jeopardy and if any injury resulted, pressure upon already stretched NHS resources.”

“So again, I would ask people to really consider their actions and the decisions they are making [and] people should only be leaving home to make essential journeys and if taking exercise, staying local.” he added.

Geograph / Karl and Ali

The warnings come after the force confirmed it had issued over 70 fixed penalty notices for breaches of the COVID regulations over the weekend.

Julia Mulligan – Fire and Crime Commissioner at North Yorkshire Police – added: “The rules and regulations are already very clear but there is a significant minority who seem to think they don’t apply to them.

“The message is simple – stay at home apart from for very specific reasons.

“Those reasons do not include taking a day trip to North Yorkshire from elsewhere or travelling to a different part of North Yorkshire if you live here. Exercise should be taken close to your home, not close to other people’s homes far from yours in communities who are doing all they can to stop the spread.”

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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.

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Fire service thanks Manchester public for cooperation while they worked to extinguish Hotspur Press fire

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant GMFRS working at Hotspur Press

Manchester’s fire service has now thanked the public for their cooperation after crews worked under ‘very challenging conditions’ last night.

One of Manchester’s most historic landmarks has been left destroyed this morning after a huge fire erupted at the now-derelict Hotspur Press building, which is on Cambridge Street beside Oxford Road train station, late yesterday afternoon (Monday 23 June).

It was subsequently declared a ‘major incident’ by authorities.

Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that a total of 20 fire engines from across Greater Manchester were at the scene, tackling the blaze – which it said had spread to three floors of the building.

At the height of the blaze, two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters were working at the scene in warm and humid conditions.

Formal statements addressing the incident have already been made by Manchester City Council Leader, Cllr Bev Craig, and the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – the latter of which provided relevant health advice.

Hotspur Press aftermath
GMFRS has thanked the Manchester public for their cooperation as they worked to extinguish the Hotspur Press fire / Credit: The Manc Group | Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)

But as of 9:40am this morning, with much of the fire extinguished despite crews still working at the scene, GMFRS has now issued a statement providing the latest updates on the incident and thanking the public for ‘allowing us to get on with the job’

“The fire spread to several balconies at the two tower blocks at number 1 Cambridge Street, and we took the decision to evacuate all residents,” explained a spokesperson for GMFRS. “Firefighters worked tirelessly to ensure all occupants made it out of the buildings safely and there are no reports of any occupants suffering ill health.

“Shortly after 9pm, once the major incident was lifted, the occupants of one of those blocks was able to return home, while the other remains closed as we work with Manchester City Council and the building owner to make the building habitable again. 

“Oxford Road station and the railway line have now reopened. Crews are still working on Gloucester St and the main area around the mill, but the main roads of Whitworth Street and access off the Mancunian Way have reopened.

“Crews will be joined by specialist fire officers later this morning to begin investigating the cause of the fire, as well as assessing the extent of the structural damage to the building.

Read more:

“We’d like to thank the public for allowing us to get on with the job last night under very challenging conditions.”

Featured Image – GMFRS (via Twitter)

News

UKHSA issues health advice following huge fire at derelict Manchester city centre mill

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Hotspur Press aftermath

The UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is just one authority to release a statement following a derelict mill in Manchester going up in flames yesterday.

One of Manchester’s most historic landmarks has been left destroyed this morning after a huge fire erupted at the now-derelict Hotspur Press building, which is beside Oxford Road train station, late yesterday afternoon (Monday 23 June).

Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that a total of 20 fire engines from across Greater Manchester were at the scene, tackling the blaze – which it said had spread to three floors of the building.

Around 180 residents in two neighbouring apartment blocks were evacuated, and had to either be put up at hotels, or stay with family and friends overnight.

Train lines were also blocked throughout the night at Oxford Road station after smoke and flames billowed onto the tracks, but as of this morning (Tuesday 24 June), National Rail said all lines had reopened, but did however warn commuters to expect ‘residual disruption’ to services throughout the morning.

Now, the morning after the fire with much of it extinguished, some wider road cordons have been lifted around the Whitworth Street West area, however many do still remain in place, and a significant police and fire presence can also be seen.

Appealing to any local residents or members of the public who were in the vicinity of the scene of the fire yesterday, including those spectating as smoke billowed, a spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a statement offering some advice and guidance: “The general advice is people should remain out of the smoke. Smoke is an irritant, it can make people’s eyes and throat sore.

“Some substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain.

“Chemicals in the smoke can worsen existing health problems like asthma. People with asthma and other respiratory conditions may be particularly susceptible to the smoke and should carry and use their medication, such as inhalers, as usual.”

The statement then concluded by urging anyone who may have concerns about the smoke’s impact on their health to contact NHS 111 service, either online or over the phone.

Hotspur Press aftermath
Hotspur Press aftermath
Health advice has been issued following a huge fire at a derelict Manchester city centre mill / Credit: Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)

Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, has also issued a statement following the major incident.

“We’ve been working closely with emergency response colleagues following the major fire incident at the Hotspur Press building,” her statement begins.

“Evacuated residents are now being supported at a nearby rest centre. 

“A cordon remains around Cambridge Street along with local road closures, and we thank people for taking fire service advice to avoid the area while crews continue to work at the site. Those living nearby should also continue to keep windows and doors shut to avoid smoke.

Read more:

“A final thank you to the city’s emergency personnel for their ongoing efforts, acting quickly to keep the fire under control and keeping our residents safe.”

Featured Image – Jonathan Boswell

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