David Cameron: HS2 will be ‘engine for growth’

HIGH speed rail will be an “engine for growth” that could create at least 100,000 jobs, David Cameron claimed as the Government prepared to unveil the planned route of extensions to two northern cities.

The Government is braced for a backlash from rural local communities through which the HS2 line will carry trains from London via Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.

Other areas are preparing to celebrate the benefits from hosting stations on the network, which ministers say will reduce overcrowding and road congestion as well as slashing journey times. 

Hero tells of harbour rescue

A HEROIC dock master has spoken of how he dived into freezing cold waters to rescue a six-month old baby boy after his buggy was blown in by strong winds.

The infant, who was strapped in the buggy, was swept into the the water as his mother walked along Watchet Harbour, Somerset, at 8am yesterday.

After hearing screams for help George Reeder, 63, initially thought a dog had fallen in but was horrified to see the pushchair upturned in the water.

Flood danger as heavy rain forecast

ALMOST 100 flood warnings remain in place across England today as rivers continue to swell from the heavy rain, which has killed a canoeist.

The downpours and gusts of up to 65mph will continue this afternoon, with the south west and the north of England most at risk from further flooding havoc, weather experts have said.

The canoeist died after being pulled from a fast-flowing swollen river by firefighters and mountain rescue volunteers yesterday afternoon. 

Pyrotechnics blamed for Brazilian club deaths

A FAST-MOVING fire roared through a crowded, windowless nightclub in southern Brazil, filling the air in seconds with flames and a thick, toxic smoke that killed more than 230 panicked partygoers, many of whom were caught in a stampede to escape.

Inspectors believe the blaze began when a band’s small pyrotechnics show ignited foam sound insulating material on the ceiling, releasing a putrid haze that caused scores of university students to choke to death.

Most victims died from smoke inhalation rather than burns in what appeared to be the world’s deadliest nightclub fire in more than a decade. 

Teenager stabbed to death

A BOY, believed to be 16, has died after being stabbed in Pimlico, central London, Scotland Yard has said.

Police were called to the Lupus Street area shortly before 7pm yesterday to reports that a youth had been stabbed.

The boy was found by ambulance staff and taken to a south London hospital where he died a few hours later.

A murder investigation has now been launched by police.