Operator defends pilot over fatal helicopter crash

The operator of a helicopter that crashed, killing the pilot and two of the passengers, has criticised a suggestion that pilot error might be to blame.

The R44 aircraft came down near Shanklin, Isle of Wight, on Monday morning during a flying lesson.

Previously, the helicopter's manufacturer Robinson said pilot error was statistically the most likely cause. However, flight school Northumbria Helicopters said the suggestion was "premature" and "deeply insensitive" to the family of 54-year-old flying instructor Simon Hewitt.

Mr Hewitt, from Barton-upon-Humber in Lincolnshire, and passengers Justyna Czoska, 52, and Wojciech Kowalkowski, 49, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, died in the incident. A fourth person, a man in his 30s, remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Previously, Robinson chief executive David Smith said more than 80% of similar crashes were ultimately attributed to pilot error.

In a statement, he said: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the three individuals who lost their lives, and we are hopeful for a full recovery for the survivor. While we understand there are many questions about what caused this accident, we do not have enough information to speak with any certainty at this time. What is definitive is that in 80-plus per cent of situations, outcomes of these accidents are ruled as pilot error, rather than mechanical failure.

"We have full confidence in the authorities who are investigating this incident. They will thoroughly examine all factors, including the aircraft's maintenance history, the operator, the pilot's actions, and the environmental conditions leading up to the crash. We believe their investigation will provide the clarity and closure needed for the families affected by this terrible event."

However, flight operator Northumbria said it was "very disappointed" at the statement. It said: "At this stage, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has only just commenced their investigation. It is therefore both premature and inappropriate to speculate on the causes of this tragedy."

The firm's statement continued: "Any suggestion of pilot error at this point is not supported by evidence and risks causing unnecessary distress to grieving families, friends, and colleagues. Simon Hewitt was an immensely respected, exceptionally safety conscious and highly skilled flight instructor and commercial pilot, admired both professionally and personally. To imply fault before the facts have been established is not only inaccurate but also deeply insensitive to those mourning his loss."

Previously, Mr Hewitt's family said they had been left "absolutely broken", describing him as "the most wonderful, intelligent, kind man and father".

Ms Czoska's daughters and family said she was "our best friend", while Mr Kowalkowski's relatives said the father of two would be "deeply missed".

The AAIB said its inquiry could take 12 months to complete.

Taunton, probably.  That was from when she was pretending to be 'Lord Dowding'. 

With thanks again for your posts, Clan Line, I've merged them here into a definitive topic.

CfN. 

...
I would suggest that there is still a substantial local holiday / day trip / vacation traffic to the seaside and mountains, and that many of these parts of Germany have sectors in which the car never became the 99% way of getting around as it has in most of the UK.  Paradoxically, I found myself feeling the absence of cars and the presence of walking, cycling and buses earlier this year in Lambeth, and again much nice looking restored old property.

I'm satisfied that I've never visited a country with an unacceptably questionable attitude towards it's citizenry.... although here's the thing.....call it "enlightened self interest" if you like but I'm sure that I've always had it at the back of my mind that any government/regime prepared to run roughshod over it's people might not be one that I should feel secure with.

I believe 'Ellie' is a real person, but I suspect she's worried about her job prospects.

https://www.holidayextras.com/travel-news/have-a-good-trip.html


The UK came in 17th in the Holiday Extra Good Trip Index ...

Reform council boss bans local newspaper's reporters


Mick Barton has banned his councillors from any engagement with the Nottingham Post and its online arm Nottinghamshire Live

The Reform UK leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has banned a local newspaper from speaking to him or any of his councillors "with immediate effect".

Mick Barton has banned the Nottingham Post and its online arm Nottinghamshire Live over what the BBC understands was a disagreement about a story it ran on local government reorganisation. Also included in the ban are BBC-funded journalists who work at the publication as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Senior editor Natalie Fahy said she was "very concerned" by the "unprecedented ban". In response, Barton said the party would not "allow misinformation to shape the narrative of our governance".

The authority will stop sending press releases to the publication, and Barton and his colleagues will not give interviews or invite them to council events. Reporters from Nottinghamshire Live and the LDRS will continue to attend public meetings.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The ban, which will only be lifted for emergency scenarios like flooding and weather-related cases, incidents at council-run schools, adult social care, or public safety issues, has come into immediate effect."

In a statement, issued on Thursday, Barton said the move was "not about silencing journalism", but "about upholding the principle that freedom of speech must be paired with responsibility and honesty. We firmly believe that open dialogue is vital to a healthy democracy, and we welcome scrutiny that is conducted with fairness, balance and integrity," he added. "However, we also have a duty to protect the credibility of our governance and the voices that we represent. For this reason, we will not be engaging with Nottinghamshire Live or with any other media outlet we consider to be consistently misrepresenting our policies, actions or intentions."

Reform took control of the authority at the local elections in May, winning 40 of 66 seats. Barton, who has been a councillor on Mansfield District Council since 2003, was elected to the county council for the first time in May and later announced as leader.

Nottinghamshire Live editor Ms Fahy said those who applauded Reform's decision "should think carefully. We pride ourselves on our balanced and accurate coverage of all political parties across the county and our treatment and coverage of Reform has been no different to any other parties," she said. "We see this as a direct attack on the free press and our ability to hold elected members to account. Ultimately, we will struggle to find out where taxpayers' money is being spent, so those who applaud this decision by Reform should think carefully. My concern as a journalist of 20 years is that we are increasingly seeing attacks of this kind which affect how we can carry out our jobs effectively. We'll continue to speak out and fight against them in the hope of bringing about change."

The Liberal Democrats have written to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, urging him to intervene.

Liberal Democrat culture, media and sport spokesperson, MP Max Wilkinson, called it a "dangerous and chilling" decision. "Reform's move to block local journalists from reporting on their work is straight out of Donald Trump's playbook," he added.

MP Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative Party chairman, said it was a "disgrace for Reform to deliberately cut off local journalism". He added: "They are completely denying communities the right to scrutinise those in power. If Reform can't even face questions from the Nottingham Post, what hope is there that they could ever face the serious responsibilities of government?"

The leader of the opposition on Nottinghamshire County Council, Conservative Sam Smith, called the ban an "extremely dangerous step". He added: "It's not just the press Reform are shutting out in Nottinghamshire. It's the voice and views of residents."

The BBC funds 165 LDRS reporters across the UK, three of which are funded in Nottingham.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: "Independent journalism is vital to local democracy, and journalists must be free to question those in power without fear of reprisals. We continue to support Notts Live in seeking a resolution."

There seem to be a number of Scottish castles on the market at present - here's another

'Significant interest' in buying Skye clan castle, sellers say



Estate agents say there has been "significant interest" in a ruined castle at the centre of a controversial land sale in Skye.

Armadale Castle, its gardens – along with offices and visitor facilities - have been on the market for offers over £995,000.

The sale, along with the selling off of the wider £6.7m Sleat Peninsula - historic lands of the Clan MacDonald - have been met with protests by some islanders concerned about how the land might be managed in the future.

The 20,000-acre estate is mostly used by tenant crofters and farmers, and has a history as a game shooting estate.

All the sales reached a closing date at midday on Thursday.

The Clan Donald Lands Trust, which owns the castle and wider estate, said in March it had taken a "difficult" decision to sell up because of financial challenges. The charity said it wanted to focus on giving grants to "clan and indigenous Highland heritage projects". But the sale came as a surprise to people living in the south of Skye, and some criticised the lack of community involvement in the decision.

Sleat Community Trust has investigated a community buyout of Armadale Castle - the historic home of the MacDonalds of Sleat - and its gardens. But the trust told BBC Naidheachdan that, after a "careful assessment", it had concluded a buyout was not viable at this stage, mainly due to costs involved. It also claimed it received "incomplete" financial details.

Donaidh MacDonald, chairman of Sleat Community Trust, said: "We want to see Armadale run again as a successful enterprise, bringing jobs and associated business to our communities. We want it to be recognised as a place of significant historical value, as well-managed land where people respect, value and celebrate the natural beauty and heritage of the area."


(BBC news article continues)

Inquiry into fatal train derailment in Stonehaven set for next year

An inquiry into a train derailment which killed three men in the north east of Scotland is to be held next year.

The Aberdeen to Glasgow train came off the rails at Carmont, in Aberdeenshire, on 12 August 2020 after it hit a landslide following heavy rain.

Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the crash. Network Rail was later fined £6.7m after admitting a series of failings which led to the deaths.

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) preliminary hearing heard a start date in late January was being reserved. It could last about a month.



Alex Prentice KC, for the Crown, told a remote hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Thursday morning that "good progress" had been made between the parties involved in the inquiry to agree evidence in advance. Mr Prentice said he was now confident that the FAI would not go beyond four weeks in duration.

Sheriff Lesley Johnston noted the previous estimate of about eight weeks had been further reduced. She expressed gratitude that discussions had halved the potential timescale.

The sheriff said dates for the inquiry would be reserved, starting the week of 26 January. This would run through to 13 February, followed by further dates on 23-27 February.

Work will continue on a location for the inquiry, which the sheriff said was likely to be a mix of in-person and remote.

A further preliminary hearing has been set for 24 September.


(BBC news item continues)

16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19

17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.

16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06

16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 will be reinstated.
It will be starting late from Westbury and is expected to be 25 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.

11:52 London Paddington to Hereford due 14:44 will be terminated at Great Malvern.
It has been delayed between Oxford and Evesham and is now 31 minutes late.
This is due to a speed restriction over defective track.
Last Updated:28/08/2025 14:09

14:53 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:04 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It has been delayed between London Paddington and Reading and is now 17 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:28/08/2025 16:42

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to a speed restriction over defective track.
Last Updated:28/08/2025 14:09

17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:52 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:28/08/2025 16:42

18:02 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 20:29 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:28/08/2025 17:47

Just done so ... clicked through for more info and got taken to the National Rail data I originally quoted ;-)

2. "How to buy" - "The Heart of Wessex Day Ranger can be bought at most staffed stations across the whole of Britain or via Great Western Railway Telesales on 0345 7000 125." OK - can it also be bought online,

Try this? and navigate to "Southwest England" in the drop down menu on the left.