CROWES APEA copy.qxp
14/8/06
6:12 pm
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News fire engines everywhere - I didn't know what was going on. "It's just so terrible what has happened to the poor lad. It's unbelievable."
UK, Killspills rally 2006 The biggest ever KillSpills diesel protest rally is predicted by organisers on September 9, 2006 to highlight the danger of diesel to motorcyclists. In 2005, the event attracted over 2500 concerned riders, starting at the Ace cafe in London, and ending at the Houses of Parliament. The British Motorcycle Federation sponsors the ride, and Metropolitan Police riders will escort procession. A delegation will call at 10 Downing Street to present Prime Minister Tony Blair with an action plan and third-year anniversary card signed by thousands of motorcyclists. The BMF, supported by Bennett’s insurance, will present a KillSpills achievement award to the company who has done most to reduce the risk of diesel spills from their vehicles. The KillSpills 8-point action plan: • Warning signs should be displayed at service stations informing diesel users of the danger of overfilling diesel tanks or not refitting the filler cap correctly. • The Highway Code should highlight the dangers of spilt diesel and publicise the penalties of spilling diesel on the public highway. • The THINK! campaign should be used to get the diesel spill message across: "Thinks! -Diesel Spills Can Kill" • Lobby for European wide resolution to ensure that future generations of commercial vehicles have anti-spill devices fitted as standard. • Government Departments and Local Authorities to lead by example, ensuring that their drivers are fully briefed about the dangers of overfilling a diesel tank or not refilling the filler cap correctly. • Introduce a general Road Safety Hotline that the public can use to report diesel spills and other road safety issues. • Publish statistics on the reasons
prohibition notices are served on commercial vehicles. • Diesel spills are recognised as a hazard in the Department for Transport network management Duty Guide but there are no home office guidelines to the emergency services relating to treatment of diesel spillage. This should be corrected as part of joined-up Government. The protect ride also coincides with the 12th Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend. The ride assembles at 11:00am at the Ace Cafe on Saturday September 9, 2006, to start at 1pm. For more information visit www.killspills.org.uk.
UK, Scotland, Renfrewshire. Lucky to be alive after petrol pump explosion attempt June 15 2006 - A terrified worker was spooked when he saw a man remove a petrol pump nozzle and try to ignite it with a cigarette lighter. Paisley Sheriff Court heard how Mark McDonald’s actions could have had disastrous consequences. Luckily no fumes were ignited to erupt in a fireball. But McDonald's solicitor conceded his client was fortunate that the outcome had not been much more serious. “He could have blown himself up and caused considerable damage,” said defence agent Jonathan Manson, as he struggled to explain his client’s “bizarre conduct.” In court, McDonald, who has never been in trouble before, admitted he had been suffering from depression at the time and drinking to excess. His solicitor said he had now realised something had to be done and he was hopeful for a reconciliation with his partner, whom he had also put through a terrifying experience around the same time. McDonald pleaded guilty to conducting himself in a disorderly manner in a house at Unsted Avenue, Paisley, on January 5 and he also admitted culpably and recklessly attempting to set fire to a petrol pump and contents at the Benston Service Station in Beith Road, Johnstone, the following day, exposing others to danger. The court was told that a second incident a short time later caused an employee at the filling station to press
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the panic button when she saw what McDonald was trying to do after she spoke to him around 12.20am on January 6. “She was working at a serving hatch when the accused approached and asked her to contact police,” said the fiscal. McDonald then asked if the CCTV cameras were working before going over to a petrol pump, removing a nozzle from its holster and attempting to set it on fire. “He was holding his cigarette lighter beside the nozzle,” she said, “and when the employee saw the flame, she immediately activated the panic alarm. “When the pump did not ignite, he replaced the nozzle.” His lawyer said he could give no real explanation for his client’s bizarre behaviour other than to say that the relationship was under strain at the time and he had been depressed and drinking heavily. “He could have blown himself up and caused considerable damage.” The lawyer said that the accused was now appalled by his actions, had cooperated with police and was in full-time employment. After confirming that the accused was a first offender who seemed to have got his life back on the rails, Sheriff Alastair Thornton said he agreed that the episode could well be described at “bizarre” in character. He told McDonald he would benefit from a one-year probation period where alcohol consumption issues could be examined, and ordered him to carry out 175 hours of community service.
UK, Brierley. Petrol pumps fuel peacocks sex drive June 17 2006 - A peacock is ruffling some feathers with its repeated attempts to mate with petrol pumps it has mistaken for a peahen. Mr P, an eight-year-old peacock, spends his waking hours displaying, strutting and calling to four petrol pumps at a service station in Brierley in the Forest of Dean and has become something of a local celebrity, with motorists stopping off to take photographs. His owner Shirley Horsman, 54, said the noise made each time the petrol pumps are used has caused the bird's bizarre behaviour because it sounds like an amorous peahen in breeding season. Service Station manager Julie Milner said: "He's dicing with death a bit because he likes to strut down the centre of the road, which is unfortunate 17
