UK News

Police appeal for information as family is reported missing – including heavily pregnant mum and two children

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th May 2022

An urgent appeal has been launched after a family of four, the Collins family, was reported missing in Greater Manchester.

A heavily pregnant mum, her husband and their two young children were last seen around the Rochdale Road area of Manchester.

Charlene Collins is 26 years old, Martin Collins is 29, and their children Martin and Kathleen are age three and two.

The family haven’t been seen since Friday 22 April. GMP have said that there are ‘concerns for their welfare’.

GMP are appealing for information as to the whereabouts of the Collins family

The Collins family, originally from Ireland, had only recently come to Manchester, but police say they may have left the area.

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They all speak with strong Irish accents and have connections to Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Suffolk, and the north west.

Police are appealing for information – anyone who has seen or come into contact with the Collins family is asked to notify the police.

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GMP Manchester North posted: “Missing Appeal for the Collins Family.

Read more: Deliveroo is giving out free holidays in Manchester takeaway orders next week

“Charlene Collins 26 years and Martin Collins 29 years and their children – Martin aged 3 and Kathleen aged 2 years have been reported Missing. They were last seen around the Rochdale Road area of Manchester, M9 on Friday 22nd April 2022.

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“Charlene is heavily pregnant and there are concerns for their welfare.

“Police are asking if you have seen or come into contact with this family that you notify the Police. They speak with strong Irish accents, and possibly could have left the Manchester area. They are originally from Ireland and have recently come to Manchester but may have left the area and could have travelled down south. They have connections to Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Suffolk and now the North West.

“If you have any information please call PC Helen McNeill on 07584 224 903 or PC Dave Frame on 07393781595. Alternatively call the SGTS desk on 0161 856 4024. Log 2103 -25042022 refers.”

Featured image: GMP Manchester North

UK 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.

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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

UK News

Tailgaters and middle lane hoggers warned to change their ‘dangerous’ driving style

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A warning has been issued to tailgaters and motorway middle lane hoggers urging them to change their ‘dangerous’ driving style.

Do you find yourself guilty of two of the biggest driving sins from time to time?

Well, according to the latest figures released by National Highways, one in three motorists have admitted to middle lane hogging in their lives, while one in four have committed acts of tailgating on some of the UK’s fastest roads.

These shocking survey findings – which were released back in early March as the Government-owned road management company launched a new campaign – showed that lane hogging was among the behaviours that are most likely to cause motorists and passengers to feel ‘frustrated’, and tailgating was most likely to cause feelings of unease, stress, and anxiety.

Nearly a third (32%) of drivers admitted to lane hogging ‘at least occasionally’ while driving on England’s motorways and major A roads, according to the survey – which polled 2,500 adults between the ages of 16-75.

On top of this, almost seven in ten adults in England (67%) said close following or tailgating is a ‘serious problem’ on these types of roads, but nearly a quarter (23%) admitted to doing it from time to time.

Tut-tut.

Tailgaters and middle lane hoggers have been warned to change their ‘dangerous’ driving style (Credit: IPTC/Ronald Hudson)

It’s these very statistics which have led National Highways to issue an urgent warning that calls on these motorists to “carefully consider” their driving habits, as “little changes can change everything”.

Lane hogging and tailgating both fall under the offence of ‘careless driving’ in England, with the country’s police forces having the power to hand out on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points to those who commit such offences.

“Middle lane hogging and tailgating are far more than mere annoyances for drivers,” warned RAC road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis, adding that these actions “put everyone on the roads at risk.”

He continued in his reaction to the release of the latest National Highways figures: “Closely following another motorist could easily result in a serious collision should the driver ahead need to brake sharply for any reason, so the fact nearly one in four drivers admitted to doing so on some of England’s fastest and busiest roads is frightening”.

Mr Dennis said he understands that offenders “might find these habits hard to kick”, but that’s why the urgent calls for motorists to make changes are “so important”.

“By understanding that how we choose to drive affects others, we can each make a real difference to the safety of our roads,” he concluded.

Read more:

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

Featured Images – AA

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