Summary

  • Updates from Friday 12 May 2017

  1. Football: Wolves' Costa picks up a hat-trick of awardspublished at 10:07 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    Steve Hermon
    Journalist, BBC WM

    Wolves winger Helder Costa scooped a hat-trick of awards at the club's end of season dinner last night.

    Helder CostaImage source, Rex Features

    He was named the fans' and players' player of the year and also picked up a prize for being top goalscorer.  

  2. Football: Villa to find out extent of Hogan injurypublished at 09:48 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    BBC WM Sport

    Aston Villa expect to learn today the full extent of Scott Hogan's injury he sustained in the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Sunday.

    Scott HoganImage source, Rex Features
  3. School to support pupils after theme park deathpublished at 09:23 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    Kathryn Stanczyszyn
    Reporter, BBC WM

    The school which an 11-year-old girl attended has released a statement saying it's been left "deeply shocked" following her death after falling from a ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park.

    In a statement released by Jameah Academy in Leicester, external they say "the school will ensure specially trained staff are in school to provide our pupils and staff support at this difficult time".

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  4. Afghan interpreter who fought with British troops granted asylumpublished at 09:18 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    Louise Hancock
    Newsreader, BBC WM

    An Afghan interpreter who fought alongside British troops against the Taliban has been granted asylum in Birmingham.

    Javed Hotak

    Javed Hotak spoke to the BBC in February saying he had been forced to live illegally in the city after his initial request failed. 

    The Home Office refused to accept that it was dangerous for him to go home because of death threats. 

    Yesterday Mr Hotak learnt that a fresh application had been successful.

  5. Tennis: Andy Murray's unease on Maria Sharapova's wildcard at Birmingham's Aegon Classicpublished at 08:57 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    World number one men's tennis star Andy Murray has expressed his unease at Maria Sharapova being offered a wild card to play at next month's Aegon Classic in Birmingham.

    Maria Sharapova after defeat by Eugenie Bouchard in a marathon three-setter in the second round of the Madrid Open on MondayImage source, Getty Images

    Preliminary discussions between Sharapova's team and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) are already under way. Sharapova was given a 15-month ban for taking meldonium, 

    Murray said: "The tournaments are going to do clearly what they think is going to sell the most tickets, get the most coverage and the most people in to watch. 

    "I'm sure the LTA saw the coverage of last night's match and Maria's run in Stuttgart and I'm sure that's what they think is best for the tournament in Birmingham."

  6. Passengers could share journeys with parcels in the futurepublished at 08:42 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    BBC Midlands Today

    Passengers could be sharing their rail journeys with parcels if a new train carriage being unveiled in the Midlands gets the go-ahead. 

    Parcels on train sample

    The concept involves collapsible seats and tables which would make space for small items of freight. 

    It's claimed the idea could help relieve congestion on the roads and keep fares rises to a minimum. 

    The carriage is designed to be used when the rail network isn't busy, such as on late services.

  7. Travel: M6 closure due to police incidentpublished at 08:36 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    The M6 has been closed around Spaghetti Junction due to a police incident.

    Drivers and commuters using public transport are being warned of delays.

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  8. School girl who died at theme park is namedpublished at 08:36 British Summer Time 10 May 2017
    Breaking

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    The 11-year-old girl who died after falling from a ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park has been named as Evha Jannath by Staffordshire Police.

    Evha was on a school trip with the Jameah Girls Academy yesterday when she fell from the Splash Canyon ride.

  9. Watch: Your 50-second weather forecastpublished at 08:13 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    After a very chilly start, Wednesday will be dry with light winds and plenty of warm sunshine for all of us. 

    A few fair weather clouds are likely to bubble up through the afternoon - highs of 19C (66F).

    Media caption,

    Latest weather forecast for the West Midlands

  10. Good morning from Local Live for Birmingham and the Black Countrypublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 10 May 2017

    Alex Homer
    BBC Local Live

    I'm back with Wednesday's news, sport, travel and weather updates.

    Comment on our stories and share your pictures over email, tweet us, external or visit our Facebook page, external.

  11. Birmingham keeper Trueman signs new dealpublished at 21:00 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    Birmingham City goalkeeper Connal Trueman signs a three-year contract with the Championship club.

    Read More
  12. Drayton Manor death: 'Sad and shocking news' - council leaderpublished at 19:55 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    Monica Rimmer
    Journalist, BBC Online

    "It is absolutely sad and shocking news to hear how a day of adventure has ended in such tragedy for this young girl," said councillor Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council leader. "Our thoughts are very much with her family and friends this evening. 

    "Drayton Manor Theme Park was opened as a family business back in 1949 and I know the Bryan family, who are still involved with the park today, will be absolutely devastated by this accident and will undoubtedly do all they can to help find out how this tragic accident occurred."

    The 11-year-old girl died after falling from a rapids ride at the theme park.

    The Splash Canyon attraction was shut on Tuesday after the girl, who was on a school trip, fell into the water.

  13. The last UK theme park death was in 2004published at 19:48 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    The death of a school girl following a fall at Drayton Manor follows a number of high profile incidents at UK theme parks, including the Smiler rollercoaster crash in June 2015, which left five people seriously injured. 

    However, the last death at a theme park in the country is believed to have occured 13 years ago.  

    Hayley Williams (pictured), who was 16, fell 120ft (37m) to her death from a ride at Oakwood theme park near Tenby in west Wales in 2004.  

    Hayley WilliamsImage source, Williams family photo

    The Hydro Ride was closed for a year after the incident before opening with enhanced safety restraints.  Hayley's family told the BBC in 2015 how they have struggled to come to terms with the death of their "amazing" daughter. 

  14. Drayton Manor death: 'Staff looked visibly upset'published at 19:38 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    Monica Rimmer
    Journalist, BBC Online

    Caroline Greenway told BBC News she was at the park for her son's fourth birthday.

    She said: "We saw the air ambulance fly over as we were in the zoo. When we walked into the park, there was police, security and members of staff surrounding the area."

    AmbulanceImage source, JADE BRAHAM/PA

    She added: "Staff looked visibly upset and worried. When I asked if everything was ok, they replied they were unable to comment.

    "We were not asked to leave the park, but part of the park near to Splash Canyon had been sectioned off by police.

    "When we left the park, we had a clear view of the air ambulance parked up."

  15. Drayton Manor death: Splash Canyon ridepublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    An 11-year-old girl on a school trip has died after falling into the water at the Splash Canyon ride:

    • The ride opened in 1993
    • It is described as a river rapids ride on circular boats
    • It comprises 21 boats with a maximum capacity of six people per boat
    • There is a height restriction. You must be taller than 90cms (2.9ft) to ride and anyone shorter than 1.1m (3.6ft) must be accompanied by an adult
    • The 286 acre-theme park was opened to the public by the Bryan family in 1950 and is run today by second and third generation family members
  16. Sharapova to be offered Birmingham wildcardpublished at 19:26 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    Maria Sharapova will be offered a wildcard for next month's Aegon Classic in Birmingham following her recent return from a 15-month doping ban.

    Read More
  17. Drayton Manor: Local 'saddened' by newspublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    Lisa Wright
    Journalist, BBC News Online

    Kenneth Lucas, who's 58 and a plant operative who lives locally, said he was "saddened" by the news.

    He said he had heard the fire engines passing on their way to the park.

    "I feel sorry for the parents and for the person who was in charge of the girl that died," he said. "It's a tragedy."

    An 11-year-old girl has died after falling from a rapids ride at Drayton Manor theme park.  

  18. Watch: Drayton Manor director gives statementpublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    An 11-year-old girl has died after falling from a rapids ride at Drayton Manor theme park.  

    George Bryan, park director, gave this statement. 

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  19. Drayton Manor death: What we knowpublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    Monica Rimmer
    Journalist, BBC Online

    The victim is an 11-year-old girl believed to be from the Leicester area.

    She was on a school trip and fell into the rapids at the Splash Canyon ride.

    The girl was airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital at about 14:20.

    Air ambulanceImage source, David Charles

    She was confirmed dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.  

    The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the incident.  

    The park closed at 17:00. 

  20. Drayton Manor death: Eyewitness had been on ride 15 minutes before girl's fatal fall into waterpublished at 18:55 British Summer Time 9 May 2017

    Sarah Portlock
    BBC News Online

    Tom Goodwin had been on Splash Canyon and was exiting the ride when he saw "security on a buggy" followed by an ambulance. 

    "Another ambulance was followed by a police car," he said.

    "It felt like within five or six minutes the scene became a lot more rushed - people were wondering why so many emergency vehicles were around, the helicopter was circling, trying to find a place to land, which it did quickly."

    RideImage source, Steven Crook

    "The area was cornered off, Shockwave and G Force closed, the rest of the park kept going at the time. We had been on the ride literally 15 mins before." 

    Describing the ride Mr Goodwin said: "It's a rapids ride made up of a large rubber rings used as a boats, there are a few steps down into it, you sit quite sunken into the boat with a large metal ring in front of you.

    "It goes along a large channel of water, goes quite quickly and you can bump into the wall.

    "I've been asked if it's a fierce ride - I would say it is not a fierce ride."