The Independent7 hours agoDramatic rescue after woman found clinging to underside of cliff amid raging torrents of California riverThe Independent - Zack PalomoThis is the harrowing moment California authorities rescued a woman clinging to the underside of a cliff after she was swept away by a strong river current. The woman reportedly fell into the Kern River and was quickly carried downstream on July 25. Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies and air support conducted a search and found the woman struggling at the base of a steep cliff, partially submerged in the flowing water. Authorities were able to throw the woman a life jacket attached to a rope and pull her to safety.
The Independent19 hours agoMoment Labour’s Bev Craig declared winner of the Greater Manchester mayoral by-electionThe Independent - Hebe CampbellGreater Manchester will have a new mayor after Labour's Bev Craig won the mayoral election, succeeding Andy Burnham. Ms Craig secured 47.15 per cent of first-preference votes, falling just short of the 50 per cent needed to win outright under the Supplementary Vote system. Her closest rival, Reform’s Ms Astley, received 20.99 per cent. In her victory speech, Ms Craig said: "I never believed as a girl that grew up on a council estate that one day I would have the chance to stand for the place I love."
The Independent1 day agoStrictly winner shares smear test update after ‘high-grade cell changes’The Independent - Holly PatrickStrictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach has shared a health update after undergoing a smear test, which checks the health of the cervix and helps prevent cervical cancer. The Coronation Street star, 25, told her followers that her test results showed she had tested positive for HPV (human papillomavirus) and had to undergo a colposcopy due to “severe high-grade changes” in her cells. Leach then explained that she underwent a LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone), which uses a thin wire loop to burn off abnormal cervical cells. She added that doctors told her they were successful in removing the cells, and urged others not to put off going for their smear tests.
The Independent1 day agoSuffolk wildfire drone video shows how close blaze came to holiday parkThe Independent - Holly BishopDrone footage shows just how close the raging Suffolk wildfire came to a holiday park. Emergency services were called to reports of a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, on Wednesday (29 July), shortly before 5.30pm. Aerial footage from Friday (31 July) shows the smouldering remains of the heath near Cliff House Holiday Park, which was evacuated alongside nearby homes. In a 2pm update on Friday, Suffolk County Council said a helicopter was being brought in to drop around 1,000 litres of seawater with every pass over the scene, to tackle areas difficult to access by foot or vehicle. Officials described the incident as “dynamic and potentially changeable”. Read More Suffolk wildfire: Smouldering aftermath captured as blaze continues to spread Drone footage shows scale of Suffolk wildfires as firefighters battle huge blaze Urgent search for missing man who may have ‘contagious health condition’
The Independent1 day agoIn The Room | Who’s winning the summer? Burnham, Badenoch and Farage assessedThe Independent - Helen MacNamara and Cleo WatsonAs Andy Burnham's second week in power draws to a close, his rivals are scratching their heads and plotting their summer challenges – with mixed results. Green leader Zack Polanski is facing heat over yet another social media misdemeanour; it’s far from all quiet for Nigel Farage on the Clacton front, and the Liberal Democrats are nowhere to be seen – time for another Ed Davey stunt? Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch is preparing to embark on a summer tour with the highest approval rating of any Tory leader since April 2021. Today, we bring you the ultimate preview of Westminster's summer. Listen to In The Room on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
The Independent1 day agoMissing man who ‘may have contagious condition’ last seen leaving hospitalThe Independent - Holly PatrickPreston Police have launched an appeal to locate a missing man who may have a contagious health condition. Authorities released CCTV on Thursday (30 July) showing Dean Hesketh, 51, leaving Royal Preston Hospital at 11:16am on 28th July. Mr Hesketh also uses the names Tim, Dean or Anthony Gledhill, police said. He is described as 5ft 4in tall with black hair and blue eyes and of a slim build. He was last seen wearing the clothing in this footage – a khaki green and black jacket, black trainers and a Lyle and Scott jumper, and a blue face mask. Police say enquiries to locate Mr Hesketh are ongoing, and they are growing increasingly concerned for him. Anyone who sees Mr Hesketh should get in touch with police on 999 as soon as possible. Anyone who has information or footage that could help police find him is asked to call 101 quoting log 1051 of 28th July. Read More Watch: Mountain burns overnight in Spain’s Castellón in dramatic drone footage Suffolk wildfire: Smouldering aftermath captured as blaze continues to spread Stressed dog and cat rescued from 98F heat after being left in back of truck
