A fault was found with the hydraulic scissor lift mortuary trolley after Mrs Blundell’s death

An undertaker was accidentally crushed to death after she positioned herself in the scissor lift of a coffin lifter machine at a funeral parlour and it descended unexpectedly onto her, an inquest concluded.

Funeral administrator Sally Blundell, 58, was found trapped underneath a device used to move bodies from cold storage in a back room at a branch of the East of England Co-op Funeral Services. The grandmother had been working alone at the branch in Swaffham, Norfolk on December 1 2023 and was found by a colleague from a neighbouring branch in Dereham.

The coroner earlier told the hearing it was not known why Mrs Blundell had “inserted herself” in the frame of the device but that her glasses had been found on the floor. Jurors returned a conclusion of accidental death after hearing evidence at an inquest in Norwich, on the third day of proceedings.

They recorded that she died at some point between 9.46am when she was last seen on CCTV at the funeral parlour and 12.06pm when she was found. The inquest was earlier told there are no CCTV cameras in sensitive areas of the funeral parlour where bodies are kept.

Concerns had been raised after a woman who had made arrangements to see a deceased relative at the branch attended for her 11am appointment and found there were no staff at the funeral parlour. She tried calling the celebrant she had been dealing with and a message was passed to another branch, with a colleague from the Dereham branch attending and finding Mrs Blundell dead.

The medical cause of death for Mrs Blundell, of Great Cressingham, was recorded as “contusion and compression of the chest by an external object”.

Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake told jurors that expert evidence indicated a fault was found with the hydraulic scissor lift mortuary trolley after Mrs Blundell’s death. She said the fault was that the trolley “descended unexpectedly”.

The coroner said she was considering writing to the equipment’s manufacturer A R Twigg and Son with her concerns about this issue in a Prevention of Future Deaths report.

She was told by barrister Dominic Kay for the East of England Co-op that the chain no longer uses this type of trolley.

Nga Ngo Quynh, from Malton, was named as the national Artist of the Year with her painting Before the Night Falls in an award organised by packaging and delivery company PACK & SEND.

2026 marks the second year in a row the competition has been won by a North Yorkshire artist, following Cawood-based Sophia Hood’s win in 2025.

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Competition organiser PACK & SEND specialises in the shipment of fragile, large, unusual and valuable items, and has previously handled works by Banksy, Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Tracey Emin and Jeff Koons amongst others.

PACK & SEND Marketing Director Sam Whittaker expressed his delight at announcing Ms Ngo as the winner.

He said: “Influenced by rural environments and shifting weather, her work has been described as reflecting an interest in stillness, light and the subtle presence of human life within the land.

“Through restrained composition and layered mark-making, she seeks to create spaces where narrative remains open, allowing viewers to pause and reflect.

“Her practice continues to develop toward contemporary exhibition contexts, with a focus on visual impact and mood within the landscape.”

Born in Hanoi, Vietnam, Ms Ngo has lived in the UK for the past four years.

She has described the winning piece as exploring landscape as a quiet form of storytelling, focusing on atmosphere, memory and moments of transition rather than specific locations.

Speaking on winning the award, she said: “I’m really pleased to have my artwork recognised in this way by PACK & SEND, which has worked with some of the most famous and respected fine artists in the world.

“It’s great to see an international company of their standing supporting and championing artists at grassroots level, helping artists like myself introduce their work to wider audiences.”

Along with the acclaim, Mrs Ngo also received £250 worth of vouchers to support the shipping of her own art with PACK & SEND.

As an approved provider to LAPADA, the largest association of professional art and antiques dealers in the UK, PACK & SEND provide shipping services to galleries, collectors, dealers, artists and exhibitions around the world.

For more information about Nga Ngo Quynh’s art, go to https://www.instagram.com/qnga.rt/. To find out more about how PACK & SEND works with fine artists, go to www.packsend.co.uk/leedsnorth or call 0345 873 9990.

“No one should face threats, intimidation or assault simply for doing their job. We need a coordinated approach across Government, the Met and the NHS to ensure staff are safe, reporting is easy and meaningful, and offenders face real consequences. Without this, we risk a growing culture of fear that harms staff wellbeing and undermines patient care.”

The ECMWF weather model shows temperatures on the morning of April 9 could drop as low as -2C – creating the conditions for wintry showers.

Advanced weather modelling maps show a surprise blizzard will soon move across Scotland from the east and bring snow to several major cities.

The ECMWF weather model shows temperatures on the morning of April 9 could drop as low as -2C – creating the conditions for wintry showers.

At 6am, the weather maps show snow building to the east, with rain moving across the country at first. Snow should be confined south of the border in the Pennines around this time, although over the subsequent hours it could hit several low-lying areas.

The maps show snow falling in parts of Scotland by midday, as the ‘Beast from the East’ storm makes progress. Across the UK, only Northern Ireland looks set to miss out on the snow entirely.

The Met Office has also suggested snow could impact some parts of the UK next month, reports the Mirror. Its forecast for March 31 to April 9 suggests “high pressure to the southwest of the UK” will dominate our weather during this period.

It adds that “wetter and windier weather can be expected in the north”, whereas southern areas can expect more settled conditions. However, while temperatures are expected to remain “near to or a little above average”, the national weather agency says some colder periods are on the cards – bringing a chance of snow.

The Met Office adds: “Whilst temperatures will be generally near to or a little above average, some colder interludes are possible, especially in the north, where there could be some wintry showers at times.”

BBC Weather says there is a chance of “chillier flows” to the UK next month. The BBC forecast for April 6 to 19 states: “The strongest high pressure anomalies could eventually become positioned at higher latitudes, most likely to the north or north-west of the UK, towards Iceland and Greenland. As a result, there would be a chance of chillier flows from the northerly quarter towards and through mid-April.

“Although a significantly cold outbreak has rather low odds, temperatures should dip near or a little below normal. This realignment could allow low pressure systems to develop closer to the UK, leading to the potential for wetter weather to develop later, at least in the south.

“There is another world in which high pressure could build more towards Scandinavia, and this might promote milder south-east to southerly flows through the middle of April.”

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Life-saving equipment was stolen from one of the fire stations

Residents have been urged to be alert after two Cambridgeshire fire stations were broken into this week. Chatteris fire station was broken into in the early hours of Monday morning (March 23), while Gamlingay fire station was broken into on Tuesday evening (March 24).

At Chatteris, life-saving cutting equipment used at road traffic collisions and other rescues was stolen. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents living next to or opposite its fire stations in the county to remain alert to suspicious activity following these incidents this week, which have reportedly also happened at other fire stations across England.

Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren said: “Break-ins to fire stations are happening across the country, and this week we have been victims twice. We are asking local residents to please help be our eyes and ears, to report any suspicious activity and make a note, if possible, of any vehicle details, including registration number, as well as descriptions of any individuals involved.

“Please also save any CCTV or Ring doorbell footage if it has captured any suspicious activity. The incidents have happened when it’s dark, in the evening and early morning.”

Chief Fire Officer Warren continued: “Entry has been forced, so if you hear a noise coming from one of our stations, please do just look and check to see if it is our firefighters, don’t assume it is. This support by our local communities would be greatly appreciated.”

Cambridgeshire Police are investigating the break-ins and has urged anyone with any information to contact them quoting 35/21532/26.

Here’s how the players rated in the agonising penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia

Wales saw their World Cup dream ended by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the most painful of circumstances at Cardiff City Stadium.

Daniel James gave the hosts the lead just after half-time, before Edin Dzeko nodded home a late equaliser.

Extra-time followed. As did penalties, with Bosnia emerging 4-2 winners.

Here is how the players rated on the night.

Karl Darlow 8

Made some brilliant saves, the pick of the bunch being his one-handed effort to keep out Demirovic. Harsher critics might well wonder if he could have done better for the goal, mind.

Neco Williams 7

Defended pretty well. No player made more tackles. Not quite as influential as usual in possession, but a fairly good performance nonetheless. Agony in the penalty shootout.

Dylan Lawlor 8 – STAR MAN

Read the game so well throughout. So confident on the ball, and carried possession through the lines brilliantly. Points to a very bright future on a disappointing night.

Joe Rodon 8

Made a brilliant sliding challenge to deny Memic in the first half. No player won more in the air all night.

Jay Dasilva 7

Made a couple of decent challenges and got himself into some good positions in extra-time in possession. Just didn’t have the quality to finish. Made more clearances than anyone else.

Ethan Ampadu 7

A decent showing on a night where he captained the side again. Competed well in midfield and played some key passes at times.

Daniel James 8

Pace caused all sorts of problems for the Bosnians. Scored a superb goal, and could have had a second were it not for the crossbar. Subbed.

Harry Wilson 8

Unlucky to have been denied by the post in the first half. Worked hard and was once again the man Wales looked to for inspiration.

Jordan James 6

Industrious in the middle of the park all evening. Mopped up well in midfield but was a little too untidy in possession at times. Subbed.

David Brooks 7

Was given a bruising night by the Bosnians. Deserves immense credit for sticking to the task, though, and linked up pretty well with others. Also produced some really useful driving runs. Subbed.

Brennan Johnson 5

Another difficult night in what’s been a difficult season for the forward. Snapped at a shot but otherwise couldn’t quite get into the game. A traumatic penalty miss too.

Subs:

Liam Cullen (on for Jordan James 56) – A little too chaotic in possession, but did well defensively – 6

Mark Harris (on for Brooks 74) – Got himself into some good positions that he should have made more of – 6

Sorba Thomas (on for Dan James 84) – Put in cross after cross in extra-time. Deserved more on what was a lively cameo – 7

In a pre-sentence report, Spence told a probation officer that he accepted his guilt over the incidents and said he was “sickened over his behaviour”, adding that he was “out of my head on alcohol and drugs”

A sentenced Co Antrim prisoner who tried to hijack two cars in Belfast city centre was handed a 50 month jail sentence on Thursday.

Andrew Bradley Spence, 23, of Madigan Park, Carrickfergus, had previously pleaded guilty to two attempted hijackings, two counts of criminal damage and one of possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Belfast Crown Court heard that during the first incident at around 9.45 pm on March 9, 2024, a man was sitting in his black Hyundai car parked in Royal Avenue.

Prosecution barrister Emma McIlveen said Spence approached the driver’s side of the car, opened the door, put a “sharpened piece of metal” towards the victim’s face and told him to get out of the vehicle.

The victim got out and Spence climbed in, stealing £70 in cash from the dashboard.

“The victim tried to re-enter the vehicle but the defendant used the sharpened piece of metal to threaten him and also damaged an interior door panel.”

Spence got out of the car and fled on foot in the direction of Belfast City Hall.

Belfast Recorder Judge Philip Gilpin heard that at around 10pm that same evening, a woman was sitting in her red Ford Focus car in a car park in Bankmore Street.

Said Ms McIlveen: “This defendant opened the driver’s side door and told his victim: ‘I have a knife and I am going to f***ing stab you’.

“He then pulled his victim out of her car at which point she attempted to fight back. She shouted for some assistance from a group of pedestrians who were nearby.

“When they became aware of the defendant, he returned the car keys to the victim and he walked off in the direction of Bedford Street.”

Spence was subsequently arrested by police and was found not to be wearing an electronic tag which he had forcibly removed.

He denied involvement in both attempted hijackings and became verbally abusive and agitated towards interviewing police.

In a pre-sentence report, Spence told a probation officer that he accepted his guilt over the incidents and said he was “sickened over his behaviour”, adding that he was “out of my head on alcohol and drugs”.

He also extended an apology to his victims.

The probation officer said Spence was not assessed as posing a danger to the public but was a high likelihood of reoffending.

Judge Gilpin said the victims in the case “will have endured a frightening experience”.

The female said in a Victim Impact Statement that at the time of the incident she “genuinely feared for her safety”.

She said that the emotional and psychological toll was both “significant and ongoing”.

She wrote that travelling or driving “fills me with dread” and felt “a sense of shame and guilt” that she should have done things differently that evening.

“It has affected my ability to relate to others, in particular men. I have become more defensive or guarded and less trusting.

“The impact of the incident has left true and lasting harm on me,” she wrote.

The court heard Spence had 64 previous convictions, including an entry for hijacking in March 2023.

Defence solicitor Paul Dougan said that in 2025 Spence was sentenced at Downpatrick Crown Court for the hijacking offence and driving whilst disqualified and received a total sentence of eight years and two months, which was divided equally between custody and probation.

Mr Dougan said in relation to the ‘Downpatrick case’, Spence was granted High Court bail in the lead up to Christmas 2023.

But when he was arrested over the ‘Belfast case’, his bail was revoked and he was remanded in custody.

He said that if the two cases had been dealt with together at Downpatrick Crown Court, the judge would have had to take into account the principle of totality in sentencing Spence.

Mr Dougan added that Spence’s release date for the ‘Downpatrick case’ was October 10, 2027.

In his sentencing remarks, the Belfast Recorder said: “The exercise for this court is to determine how much more of a sentence would the defendant have received if Downpatrick Crown Court had also dealt with the offences I am dealing with today.”

Judge Gilpin said he would take into account the principle of totality and handed down a 50 month sentence.

However, Judge Gilpin said the 50 month sentence would run concurrently to the sentence imposed in the ‘Downpatrick case’ which would not interfere with Spence’s release date in 2027.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The incident occurred on Knowsley Street at around 8:45pm.

Police and firefighters attended and it is thought no one was injured in the crash.

The front of the car was damaged, leaking coolant onto the road (Image: Dan Dougherty)

Mark Robinson, who saw the incident from McDonald’s, said: “I heard the bang.”

The damage to the side of the bus (Image: Dan Dougherty)

The bus had significant denting to its side, and the front of the car was badly damaged, with two deep impressions on its front end.

It was not able to drive off due to the damage, and was leaking coolant over the road.

TV favourite Alex Scott and Lionesses icons are being tipped for glory ahead of this year’s glitzy Women’s Football Awards on May 7, hosted by Gabby Logan and Jamie Carragher

Television favourite Alex Scott and a host of Lionesses legends are being tipped for success ahead of this year’s glamorous Women’s Football Awards.

The beautiful game is set to meet serious showbiz glamour when the ceremony takes place on May 7.

The former England international-turned-presenter leads a star-studded shortlist filled with household names and global superstars as the biggest night in women’s football makes its return.

The ceremony will be presented by Gabby Logan alongside Jamie Carragher, with Sir David Beckham also lending his support to the awards as the women’s game continues its remarkable growth.

Becks said: “It’s been so incredible to see the growth of the women’s game over the years and we love cheering on the Lionesses in our house! These awards celebrate the very best in the game both on and off the pitch.”

The Women’s Football Awards – now the largest celebration of its kind in Europe – will once again unite elite players, celebrity supporters and industry leaders to recognise those pushing the game forward.

Past winners include Alessia Russo, Mary Earps and Alex Scott herself – and with Lionesses stars dominating the shortlist once more, the competition is fiercer than ever.

Global fashion powerhouse Shein returns as headline partner, with the brand taking centre stage when it comes to the glamour. It will also play a crucial role in styling football stars and grassroots female footballers for the high-profile occasion.

Shihong Liu, Director of Europe Markets at Shein, expressed: “We are incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the Women’s Football Awards. Women’s football is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting sports in the world, and it plays such an important role in inspiring the next generation. We’re honoured to support the game and celebrate the incredible athletes and community behind it.”

Children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza and Department for Education scientific adviser Prof Russell Viner have reviewed the latest evidence, finding that long periods of time spent on screens alone can affect children’s sleep and physical activity, which are key to their development.