Two killed in five-vehicle crash

Two people have died and seven have been taken to hospital after a five-ehicle motorway horror smash in rush hour traffic.

Two lorries, two cars and a box van were involved in the collision on the London-bound carriageway of the M26 in Kent, near Kemsing just after 9.30am.

It is not known how serious the injuries are, although passengers were taken to hospital by South East Coast Ambulance Service.

The crash closed the M26 in both directions but a spokesman for Kent Police said the east-bound stretch now had one lane open but traffic was moving slowly.

The London-bound carriageway is expected to remain closed until 10pm.

Traffic on the London-bound carriageway has been redirected back to join the M20 at Wrotham Heath.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said there were hour-long delays on the one lane open on the M26 eastbound. The second eastbound lane and the M26 westbound between M20 and M25 remain closed.

The spokesman said its contractors were helping emergency services to try to reopen the road.

Police said those taken to hospital were in a "serious condition" while Kent Fire and Rescue Service said two children had been released from one of the cars.

Hundreds of motorists were left stranded in traffic for several hours following the pile-up, according to the Red Cross, which sent emergency teams to the scene.

A spokesman said: "Fire and emergency response volunteers are on hand to provide food, water and first aid where needed to people caught in the congestion."

Chief Inspector Matt Kendall said anyone who saw the events leading up to the collision, or the crash itself, and who had since left the scene without speaking to police, should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2014, All Rights Reserved.

Two killed in five-vehicle crash

Two people have died and seven have been taken to hospital after a five-ehicle motorway horror smash in rush hour traffic.

Two lorries, two cars and a box van were involved in the collision on the London-bound carriageway of the M26 in Kent, near Kemsing just after 9.30am.

It is not known how serious the injuries are, although passengers were taken to hospital by South East Coast Ambulance Service.

The crash closed the M26 in both directions but a spokesman for Kent Police said the east-bound stretch now had one lane open but traffic was moving slowly.

The London-bound carriageway is expected to remain closed until 10pm.

Traffic on the London-bound carriageway has been redirected back to join the M20 at Wrotham Heath.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said there were hour-long delays on the one lane open on the M26 eastbound. The second eastbound lane and the M26 westbound between M20 and M25 remain closed.

The spokesman said its contractors were helping emergency services to try to reopen the road.

Police said those taken to hospital were in a "serious condition" while Kent Fire and Rescue Service said two children had been released from one of the cars.

Hundreds of motorists were left stranded in traffic for several hours following the pile-up, according to the Red Cross, which sent emergency teams to the scene.

A spokesman said: "Fire and emergency response volunteers are on hand to provide food, water and first aid where needed to people caught in the congestion."

Chief Inspector Matt Kendall said anyone who saw the events leading up to the collision, or the crash itself, and who had since left the scene without speaking to police, should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2014, All Rights Reserved.

Betty is first patient checked in new £1.1m MRI scanner at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth

(left) Mandy Thompson radiographer assistant, Betty Lawrence and Lou Herron deputy superintendent radiographer. Betty Lawrence is the first patient to use the new scanner. Picture: Allan Hutchings (141120-477) PPP-140414-162510001

Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth has bought a new high-powered MRI scanner for more than £1m.

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs QA, has two new magnetic resonance imaging scanners, one of which was used for the first time yesterday.

The three-tesla (3T) machine – tesla being the unit of measurement for the strength of a magnetic field – cost £1.1m.

There are only three other hospitals with a 3T scanner in the south east – in Maidstone, Oxford and Bournemouth.

And QA had previously only had two 1.5T MRI scanners.

Lou Herron, deputy superintendent radiographer, said: ‘We’re excited to have this new machine. The stronger magnet means we get a better image.

‘This is only one of four in the region, and means it’s of massive benefit to patients in this area.’

The scanners run from 8am to 6pm five days a week, and also runs sessions at the weekends to keep up with demand.

The trust said that around 15,000 MRI scans are carried out a year, with demand rising by 15 per cent.

It is hoped the new 3T machine will be able to scan an extra 5,000 patients,

First in line was 79-year-old Betty Lawrence.

Mrs Lawrence, of Bramdean Drive, Leigh Park, said: ‘I nearly collapsed while I was shopping in Park Parade and my GP referred me to the hospital.

‘I’m very grateful for this equipment.’

MRI is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body, including the brain and spinal cord, bones and joints, internal organs, breasts and heart and blood vessels.

A second 1.5T machine will be brought into the hospital in May this year.

Betty is first patient checked in new £1.1m MRI scanner at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth

(left) Mandy Thompson radiographer assistant, Betty Lawrence and Lou Herron deputy superintendent radiographer. Betty Lawrence is the first patient to use the new scanner. Picture: Allan Hutchings (141120-477) PPP-140414-162510001

Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth has bought a new high-powered MRI scanner for more than £1m.

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs QA, has two new magnetic resonance imaging scanners, one of which was used for the first time yesterday.

The three-tesla (3T) machine – tesla being the unit of measurement for the strength of a magnetic field – cost £1.1m.

There are only three other hospitals with a 3T scanner in the south east – in Maidstone, Oxford and Bournemouth.

And QA had previously only had two 1.5T MRI scanners.

Lou Herron, deputy superintendent radiographer, said: ‘We’re excited to have this new machine. The stronger magnet means we get a better image.

‘This is only one of four in the region, and means it’s of massive benefit to patients in this area.’

The scanners run from 8am to 6pm five days a week, and also runs sessions at the weekends to keep up with demand.

The trust said that around 15,000 MRI scans are carried out a year, with demand rising by 15 per cent.

It is hoped the new 3T machine will be able to scan an extra 5,000 patients,

First in line was 79-year-old Betty Lawrence.

Mrs Lawrence, of Bramdean Drive, Leigh Park, said: ‘I nearly collapsed while I was shopping in Park Parade and my GP referred me to the hospital.

‘I’m very grateful for this equipment.’

MRI is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body, including the brain and spinal cord, bones and joints, internal organs, breasts and heart and blood vessels.

A second 1.5T machine will be brought into the hospital in May this year.

£300,000 drugs haul at Portsmouth ferryport

Portsmouth International Ferryport

BORDER Force officers seized around 100kg of cannabis resin hidden in a lorry full of fruit.

Officials stopped and boarded the truck at Portsmouth’s port.

It had arrived from Spain and was carrying a consignment of fruit.

After stopping the lorry, officers found the cannabis hidden inside.

It is estimated to have a street value of more than £300,000.

A 41-year-old British man was arrested and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Carole Upshall, the regional director for Border Force South, said: ‘Cannabis and other illegal drugs are known to be linked with serious and organised crime, which has a devastating impact on our communities.

‘This seizure means a significant quantity of drugs has failed to reach the streets and demonstrates our commitment to keeping them out of the UK.’

Following the Border Force seizure, the investigation and potential prosecution is being handled by the newly-created National Crime Agency.

It happened on Monday.

The Border Force was set up in March 2012 to protect the UK’s borders.

As reported in The News, the organisation recently commissioned a new cutter for its fleet which patrols UK waters intercepting drug shipments and other trafficking by sea.

The vessel is to be based in Portsmouth.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the smuggling hotline on 0800 59 5000.

£300,000 drugs haul at Portsmouth ferryport

Portsmouth International Ferryport

BORDER Force officers seized around 100kg of cannabis resin hidden in a lorry full of fruit.

Officials stopped and boarded the truck at Portsmouth’s port.

It had arrived from Spain and was carrying a consignment of fruit.

After stopping the lorry, officers found the cannabis hidden inside.

It is estimated to have a street value of more than £300,000.

A 41-year-old British man was arrested and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Carole Upshall, the regional director for Border Force South, said: ‘Cannabis and other illegal drugs are known to be linked with serious and organised crime, which has a devastating impact on our communities.

‘This seizure means a significant quantity of drugs has failed to reach the streets and demonstrates our commitment to keeping them out of the UK.’

Following the Border Force seizure, the investigation and potential prosecution is being handled by the newly-created National Crime Agency.

It happened on Monday.

The Border Force was set up in March 2012 to protect the UK’s borders.

As reported in The News, the organisation recently commissioned a new cutter for its fleet which patrols UK waters intercepting drug shipments and other trafficking by sea.

The vessel is to be based in Portsmouth.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the smuggling hotline on 0800 59 5000.

Jack Robinson loses his fight for life

Jack Robinson

A four-year-old who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour has ied.

In the early hours of this morning, four-year-old Jack Robinson lost his battle against a brain tumour and passed away peacefully.

The youngster had been staying in Naomi House children’s hospice, near Winchester.

As reported, Jack was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in January this year.

He was given only a five per cent chance of survival, and his heartbroken parents Marie, 41, and Terence, 47, along with sisters Danielle, 21, Christina, 18, Natalie, 14, and identical twin brother Liam, of Bere Road, Denmead, worked hard to make his final wishes come true.

This included Take That frontman and X-Factor judge Gary Barlow visiting Jack in Southampton General Hospital, receiving a video message from former Dr Who Matt Smith, and having an early Christmas and birthday party.

His mother, Marie, 41, posted on Facebook page Jack’s Journey: ‘Thankyou for your messages. I am totally speechless, my baby has gone but all I can do is cry. We will give my baby an almighty send off, the funeral of all funerals, he deserves the best.’

Jack Robinson loses his fight for life

Jack Robinson

A four-year-old who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour has ied.

In the early hours of this morning, four-year-old Jack Robinson lost his battle against a brain tumour and passed away peacefully.

The youngster had been staying in Naomi House children’s hospice, near Winchester.

As reported, Jack was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in January this year.

He was given only a five per cent chance of survival, and his heartbroken parents Marie, 41, and Terence, 47, along with sisters Danielle, 21, Christina, 18, Natalie, 14, and identical twin brother Liam, of Bere Road, Denmead, worked hard to make his final wishes come true.

This included Take That frontman and X-Factor judge Gary Barlow visiting Jack in Southampton General Hospital, receiving a video message from former Dr Who Matt Smith, and having an early Christmas and birthday party.

His mother, Marie, 41, posted on Facebook page Jack’s Journey: ‘Thankyou for your messages. I am totally speechless, my baby has gone but all I can do is cry. We will give my baby an almighty send off, the funeral of all funerals, he deserves the best.’

Portsmouth council leader pledges that Southsea beach will make the grade

Southsea beach

PORTSMOUTH’S council leader has vowed that Southsea’s beaches will make the grade next year when stricter water quality measures come into orce.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson’s comments come as the Marine Conservation Society publishes its annual Good Beach Guide.

Nearly all of the area’s beaches were ‘recommended’ and had excellent water quality when tested last year.

The main Southsea beach, east of the pier, continued to be rated ‘mandatory’ – meaning that it only reached basic European standards.

But in a victory for the city, the section of beach to the west of South Parade Pier was ‘recommended’ after only reaching the minimum standards in the past.

But, from the end of next year, it’s all change for bathing water quality standards.

The bar will be raised higher as bathing waters must meet a new minimum ‘sufficient’ standard, as set by the revised EU Bathing Water Directive.

This will be around twice as stringent as the current minimum standard, which the main Southsea beach reached this year.

Beaches that do not meet the minimum standard will have to display signs warning against bathing in the sea.

But Cllr Vernon-Jackson said there was no chance of this happening in Southsea.

He told The News: ‘We always thought there was an issue and we found the main drains from South Parade Pier were broken and leaking. We have had them mended.

‘We’re confident that we will pass and that will be fine.

‘There should be no problem for the future.’

He added: ‘Our beaches are wonderful and people should come and enjoy them as thousands of people do.’

The ratings are based on levels of bacteria, including e.coli, found in the water.

Higher levels of bacteria means more sewage has entered the sea.

None of the south’s beaches failed the tests, which were carried out last summer.

Excellent water quality was found at: Hill Head, Lee-on-the-Solent, Stokes Bay, Eastney, all of Hayling Island’s beaches, West Wittering, Bracklesham Bay, Pagham, Bognor Regis East and Felpham. Aldwick beach in Bognor only reached basic standards.

Overall the MCS has recommended 538 out of 734 – 135 more than the previous year. Part of the reason for higher standards was the dry summer, which led to fewer overflow discharges from water treatment plants.

Portsmouth council leader pledges that Southsea beach will make the grade

Southsea beach

PORTSMOUTH’S council leader has vowed that Southsea’s beaches will make the grade next year when stricter water quality measures come into orce.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson’s comments come as the Marine Conservation Society publishes its annual Good Beach Guide.

Nearly all of the area’s beaches were ‘recommended’ and had excellent water quality when tested last year.

The main Southsea beach, east of the pier, continued to be rated ‘mandatory’ – meaning that it only reached basic European standards.

But in a victory for the city, the section of beach to the west of South Parade Pier was ‘recommended’ after only reaching the minimum standards in the past.

But, from the end of next year, it’s all change for bathing water quality standards.

The bar will be raised higher as bathing waters must meet a new minimum ‘sufficient’ standard, as set by the revised EU Bathing Water Directive.

This will be around twice as stringent as the current minimum standard, which the main Southsea beach reached this year.

Beaches that do not meet the minimum standard will have to display signs warning against bathing in the sea.

But Cllr Vernon-Jackson said there was no chance of this happening in Southsea.

He told The News: ‘We always thought there was an issue and we found the main drains from South Parade Pier were broken and leaking. We have had them mended.

‘We’re confident that we will pass and that will be fine.

‘There should be no problem for the future.’

He added: ‘Our beaches are wonderful and people should come and enjoy them as thousands of people do.’

The ratings are based on levels of bacteria, including e.coli, found in the water.

Higher levels of bacteria means more sewage has entered the sea.

None of the south’s beaches failed the tests, which were carried out last summer.

Excellent water quality was found at: Hill Head, Lee-on-the-Solent, Stokes Bay, Eastney, all of Hayling Island’s beaches, West Wittering, Bracklesham Bay, Pagham, Bognor Regis East and Felpham. Aldwick beach in Bognor only reached basic standards.

Overall the MCS has recommended 538 out of 734 – 135 more than the previous year. Part of the reason for higher standards was the dry summer, which led to fewer overflow discharges from water treatment plants.