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Death of patient in swine flu case
A woman suffering from swine flu has died in Wolverhampton as hospitals battled rising cases, it emerged today. The victim was in her 70s and had been a patient at New Cross Hospital for over a week when she passed away on Monday. The unnamed woman, thought to be from Wolverhampton, was showing symptoms of the disease on admission and tests later confirmed she was a sufferer. But she had other underlying medical conditions that could have caused or contributed to her death. The victim was also showing signs of pneumonia and a potentially serious lung condition. Tests are continuing to establish the precise cause of death. David Loughton, chief executive of the hospital, said: “We would urge people, especially those at risk of chronic lung condition, asthma, heart problems, the elderly and pregnant women, to have the flu jab.” The woman who died was one of five patients being treated at New Cross Hospital who had been identified as suffering from swine flu.
Panto’s Joan ill – again Hollywood superstar Joan Collins has missed another pantomime performance at Birmingham Hippodrome due to flu. The Dynasty star, who plays Queen Rat in Dick Whittington,was unable to perform in yesterday’s matinee and evening performances after falling ill. It comes after the 77-yearold dropped out of both performances last Wednesday for the same reasons. . Qdos Pantomimes, which is behind the production, said Joan was expected back today but confirmation would only be given half an hour before the two performances. Spokesman Ian Sandy said: “Joan is devastated. We are hoping she is going to return today.”
Dog attack boy is home
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
40p
This is what it feels like to retain The Ashes! Joanna It’s a g’day sport – as England danced to victory against Australian today, retaining the Ashes Down Under for the first time in 24 years. Millions of fans stayed up to watch the spectacle on TV while many more awoke to news that the national side had conquered the Aussies. Prime Minister David Cameron described it as a “great late Christmas present for the country”.
Thousands of members of the loyal Barmy Army were sent into delirium after England secured an emphatic fourth Test victory in Melbourne, marching into an unassailable 2-1 series lead. England spinner Graeme Swann led the team in a rendition of the Sprinkler Dance he has made famous during his video diaries from Australia.
Special
Ashes hero Graeme Swann leads the team in the Sprinkler Dance today.
See video footage at www.expressandstar.com
Tim Bresnan took the winning wicket less than two hours into day four of the match, dismissing Ben Hilfenhaus and giving the visitors a victory of an innings and 157 runs – England’s biggest victory against Australia in 54 years. Mr Cameron said: “Congratulations to the England team and captain Andrew Strauss on a brilliant performance Down Under. “Retaining The Ashes for the first time in almost a quarter of a century marks a very special end to the year for sports fans and a great late Christmas present for the country. I look forward to welcoming them to Downing Street when they return.” ● Full story and scorecard – Back Page
Thousands breaking down in big freeze
NEW BOILERS UNDER FIRE By Alex Campbell
THOUSANDS of households face freezing homes because costly new ‘green’ condensing boilers are breaking down at an alarming rate, it can be revealed today.
Biggins’ big backstage secrets
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating warned that condensing boilers were more prone to freezing pipes than the old style ones that emit waste gas into the air outside.
British Gas is handling up to 20,000 broken down boilers a day and was called out to 100,000 properties in the six days before Christmas.
● Why the boiler freezes – Page 6
A boy who was attacked by a dog at his Wolverhampton home was today recovering at home with his family. Finn O’Mahoney from had been enjoying Christmas Day with his family and the Shar Pei dog which his Homes and businesses across the West father had taken in off the Midlands and Staffordshire faced chaos street. today as the big thaw prompted pipes to But the dog attacked 11- burst and cause flooding misery. year-old Finn. Fire crews, water companies, plumbers The schoolboy underwent and emergency repair companies have all surgery and may need cos- been inundated with calls from people dealmetic surgery in later life. ing with leaks or floods. Holidaymakers have returned home from their Christmas trips to find their homes soaked with water, while Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service dealt with more than 40 Councils across the West flood call outs on Monday and Tuesday Midlands today revealed alone. Customers who phoned Severn Trent they will set up a working group to get the i54 business Water’s main call centre yesterday were left hanging on the line for more than an hour. park off the ground. This month’s cold spell has caused water Wolverhampton, Staffordshire County and South inside pipes to expand, putting pressure on Staffordshire Councils will joints and exposing cracks or weaknesses. ● Weather round-up – See Page 4 join forces on the project.
Floods woe after thaw
Councils join forces on i54
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Murder victim Joanna Yeates was seen leaving her flat with two people on the night she disappeared, it was claimed today. The sighting was made by the 25-year-old landscape architect’s landlord. If accurate, it could back up theories that she knew her killer. The development came as police this afternoon released new CCTV footage of Joanna on the night she vanished as Crimestoppers offered a £10,000 reward for information. Chris Jeffries, aged 65, spotted the trio shortly after 9pm on December 17 – not long after Miss Yeates arrived at her Bristol home alone – as he parked his car. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed it was exploring the evidence. Mr Jefferies said: “Everything I am aware of I have told the police.” Another resident from the same block who lives on the top floor, said: “He saw people coming out after dark as he was parking his car.” Police launched a murder investigation after her body was discovered at a roadside on Christmas Day. ● Pictures – See Page 5
Wolves 3D debut kicks off
Wolves fans will get to see their team in 3D on TV for the first time tonight. The team’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield is being shown on Sky Sports 3D. Pubs with 3D TV sets are expecting bumper turnouts of fans. The Cleveland Arms in Old Stowheath Lane, Moseley Village, has bought in 100 pairs of 3D glasses to sell for £1 a time, including a 20p donation to charity. Landlord Will Adamson said: “We’ve shown other games in 3D and they are very popular. Everyone can keep the glasses afterwards.” Bar Sport in Cannock, Riley’s Snooker Hall in Broad Street, Wolverhampton, and the Labour in Vain in Stourbridge are also showing the match in 3D.
No sale of Phones4U
All new boilers have to be condensers by law to meet environmental agreements signed by the former Labour government. Wolverhampton Homes, which is responsible for 23,500 council houses, has installed more than 5,000 since 2005 in line with the legal requirement. The problem is caused because condensing boilers turn waste gas into water and dispose of it through a pipe.
Staffordshire billionaire John Caudwell will miss out on a further cash windfall after Phones4U’s US owners dropped plans to sell it. Private equity firm Providence, which bought 75 per cent of the mobile phone retailer from Mr Caudwell four years ago, had been looking to sell. Mr Caudwell, who lives near Eccleshall, would have had a second pay day had a deal gone ahead.
Mistake But the water in the pipes can freeze. The boiler senses a blockage and shuts down. Lindsay Jones, of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, said: “In severe weather some condensing boilers are breaking down due to the condensate pipework freezing up.” Professional heating engineer Paul Greenway, of Teddersley Road, Penkridge, today called condensing boilers “a massive mistake.” “The only people the new boilers benefit are the manufacturers,” he said. “They’re making a fortune out of call-outs and repairs because so many are failing. They’re supposed to be much more efficient, but while old-style boilers last more than 20 years, the new ones last for just 12.” He stressed: “Keep your old boiler going for as long as possible – don’t change until you haven’t got any choice.”
spotted leaving her flat
A fire broke out in a cleaner’s cupboard at a hotel tion of Aladdin at the theatre, reveals the near Wolverhampton. backstage den which is his ‘home from Firefighters were called to home’ over Christmas and New Year. the Himley Hotel in School He is spending over nine hours a day in Road, Himley, at around his room and allowed the Express & Star ex- 10.15 last night. There were clusive access. no guests in the hotel at the ● Behind the scenes – Pages 20 & 21 time.
Comfort zone – panto dame Christopher Biggins in his dressing room at the Grand Trophies, a special lamp and good luck cards from his celebrity friends – Wolverhampton’s pantomime star Christopher Biggins today opens the door to his Grand Theatre dressing room. The panto dame, appearing as Widow Twankey in this year’s spectacular produc-
Hotel drama as fire breaks out
WAGNER MADNESS AT X FACTOR STAR’S HOMECOMING GIG – SEE PAGE 8