Severe Winter Weather
Snowfall and cold weather first arrived in Cumbria in the week before Christmas. The conditions persisted into the New Year and by early January, night time temperatures were being experienced up to -15 degrees Centigrade. In response an Unusual Incident was declared and multi agency strategic meetings were held at Cumbria Police HQ on a daily basis. Regular snowfalls caused considerable traffic problems with the A66 at Stainmore blocked for around 10 days. A national shortage of grit exacerbated the difficulties of keeping roads clear. Weather conditions improved slightly by mid January, but grit shortages continued into February.
Gas Failure, Ambleside
On Saturday 16th January 2010, water entered a broken gas pipe at Ambleside, resulting in a total shutdown of the mains gas supply to the town. An Unusual Incident was declared and multi agency strategic meetings were held at Langdale Ambleside MRT HQ where National Grid also established their emergency control. A community support centre was established in St Mary’s Church Hall, and electric heaters were distributed by National Grid. Gas supply was restored to most premises after about 5 days, but some houses were without supplies for up to 2 weeks.
Keswick School Coach Crash
At approx 15.45 hrs on Monday May 24th 2010, a bus carrying children home from Keswick School was in collision with a car on the A66 at Braithwaite. The coach overturned and two schoolchildren were killed. The driver of the car also died at the scene. 35 children were injured including 4 seriously. A total of 6 rescue helicopters were used to ferry the injured to hospital. A Reception Centre was established at Braithwaite School were a number of casualties were triaged before transfer to hospital. The ‘walking wounded’ were also treated at the School.
West Cumbria Shootings
A 52 year old Whitehaven taxi driver, Derrick Bird, shot dead 12 people and injured another 11 in West Cumbria during the morning of 2nd June 2010. Mr Bird’s twin brother, David, was the first victim and was killed sometime in the early morning of the 2nd at Lamplugh. At approx 10am Mr Bird then went on a 45 mile journey where he shot people in Frizington, Whitehaven, Egremont, Wilton, Gosforth and Seascale. Mr Bird’s body was eventually discovered by Police at 13.40hrs in woodland near Boot.
