UK Wikinews Shorts: December 23, 2009

A compilation of brief news reports for Wednesday, December 23, 2009 .

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Map of United Kingdom with Northern Ireland highlighted in dark blue.

Two-year-old child in Northern Ireland dies of H1N1 swine flu virus

The Department of Health (DHSSPS) in Northern Ireland has announced that a child aged two has died after falling victim to the H1N1 swine flu virus. The toddler had underlying health problems. The death brings the total number of people from Northern Ireland that have died as a result of having the disease to 17, also including one person who was in Spain and one person who was in England at the times of their deaths.

Michael McGimpsey, health minister of Northern Ireland, expressed his sympathy. "Sadly, we have been notified of the death of a two-year-old child who was confirmed as having swine flu," he stated. "The child had underlying medical conditions. I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family at this very sad time for them."

Sources

• "Two-year-old with swine flu dies" — BBC News Online, December 23, 2009
• "NI child dies from swine flu" — Irish Times, December 23, 2009

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Woman killed in collision with ambulance in Staffordshire, England

Map of England with Staffordshire highlighted in red.

An elderly woman has been killed in a car collision physically involving an ambulance in Staffordshire, England. The incident occurred when the woman and her female passenger, travelling in a Ford Ka, crashed into a West Midlands Ambulance Service vehicle that was flashing its full emergency lights. The crash occurred at approximately 15.15 GMT at the junction of Quarry Hills Lane and Tamworth Road. An air ambulance subsequently arrived at the scene and took the 72-year-old passenger to a hospital; she suffered included damage to her chest and her head. The driver of the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. It is believed that icy road conditions were not a factor of the collision.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said that : "the woman driver of the Ka was pronounced dead at the scene. Her female passenger was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, suffering from head and chest injuries. The male driver of the ambulance vehicle was taken to Stafford Hospital after suffering minor injuries."

Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Keith Prior from West Midlands Ambulance Service also spoke about the incident. "All our thoughts are with the families of all of those involved in this tragic crash. We have launched an internal investigation to examine the circumstances of this incident," said Prior. "We have already been working with our colleagues in Staffordshire Police and this will continue."

Sources

• "Woman killed in Staffordshire ambulance crash" — BBC News Online, December 23, 2009
• James White. "Ambulance crash with car leaves woman dead and passenger seriously injured" — Daily Mail, December 23, 2009

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90-year-old man dies after car crash in Northern Ireland

A man aged 90 has died after being involved in a road traffic accident in Northern Ireland. The accident, which occurred at 1030 GMT on Sunday, involved two vehicles and took place on the Doagh Road in the suburb of Newtownabbey in County Antrim. The man died the following day from the injuries he sustained in the accident. At the request of his family, the police have not yet publically identified the gentleman.

Sources

• "90-year-old man dies after Newtownabbey accident" — BBC News Online, December 23, 2009
• "Pensioner dies after weekend crash" — UTV, December 23, 2009

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Man dies while carrying child in railway station in Edinburgh, Scotland

Map of Scotland with Edinburgh highlighted in dark blue.

A man has died while carrying his child in a railway station in Edinburgh, Scotland. The man, who was aged 47, was carrying his young daughter in Waverley Station in Edinburgh when he suddenly either collapsed or slipped near a taxi rank at approximately 0900 GMT on Wednesday; his head impacted with a parked car. The man, who came from the city of Dundee, suffered from injuries to his head as a result of the impact. After being treated by staff at the scene, he was taken to hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.

A spokesperson for Network Rail has released a statement about the incident. "We can confirm that a man has died following a tragic incident at Waverley station this morning," said the spokesperson. "We are co-operating fully with the police investigation into this matter."

A post-mortem examination is to be held to try and determine the cause of the man's death. The police have yet to have identified him publically, however his next of kin have been notified. The British Transport Police have now launched an investigation. "About 0920 GMT on Wednesday, 23 December 2009, a man in his 40s appeared to fall as he walked on the concourse of Edinburgh Waverley station," said a spokesperson for them. "He was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he later died. Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding his death, although at this stage there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. It is anticipated that a post mortem will take place in due course to establish his cause of death and full report will be submitted to the local procurator fiscal by Lothian and Borders Police."

Sources

• "Father dies while walking with toddler in station" — BBC News Online, December 23, 2009
• "Man dies after rail station fall" — STV, December 23, 2009
  

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