BUTLER, Mo. (AP) — A plane carrying passengers planning to spend a sunny afternoon skydiving crashed Sunday in Missouri, killing all 12 people aboard, authorities said.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a statement that troopers were on the scene, assisting the Butler Police Department & Bates County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred near the Butler Memorial Airport. The small town of Butler has a population of around 4,300 people and is roughly 65 miles (105 kilometers) south of Kansas City.

Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Justin Ewing said the plane was taking people up to skydive. Emergency responders got a call that a plane was down and engulfed in fire around 11:30 a.m. Sunday morning, he said.

Emergency responders were able to extinguish the fire shortly after the crash, Ewing said, calling the scene “brutal.”

“It landed in a field adjacent to the airport, but I think they’re shutting down the roadway just as a precaution,” Ewing said.

Teams from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration were en route to the crash site Sunday afternoon to investigate, according to the Missouri State Patrol.

The private plane was operated by Skydive Kansas City, said Dennis Jacobs, the acting airport manager and Bates County Emergency Management Agency director.

“It had just taken off and made a left turn” before the crash, Jacobs said. “In my opinion I think it was losing power, and he was trying to make it over to the highway and land, and he stalled and went down nose first and caught fire.”

First responders have checked the area under the flight path and did not find anyone who might have tried to jump out before the crash, Jacobs said

The Pacific Aerospace 750XL that crashed is a single engine turboprop plane model that’s popular for skydiving but has also proven useful for other uses, including cargo, aerial surveying and medical evacuation flights. The aircraft can carry as many as 17 skydivers and is capable of taking off and landing on short runways. The plane that crashed Saturday was manufactured in 2010, according to FAA records.

The small airport serves around 30 aircraft, all privately owned, including crop dusting companies and sky dive operators, Ewing said.

Hit American singer-songwriter Oliver Tree has died in a helicopter crash in Brazil, it has been reported.

The 32-year-old alternative rock artist is best remembered for his hit songs Life Goes On, Miss You and ULTRAMAN.

According to CNN Brazil, the star was in Rio de Janeiro when the incident occurred.

The outlet reports that Tree and five others were killed when two helicopters collided above an electric vehicle yard on Sunday morning.

According to reports, Tree and four others were in one helicopter, while only the pilot flew the other.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Tree first rose to fame at the age of 17, working with Skrillex and Zeds Dead under the name Tree.

In 2013, he released an independent album, before taking a break to study music technology.

His debut album, Ugly Is Beautiful was released in 2020, and followed by Cowboy Tears in 2022 and Alone in a Crowd on September 29, 2023

He was halfway through headlining a world tour four his album Love You Madly, Hate You Badly, which began in Mexico City and was set to include dates in China, Japan, Antarctica, New Zealand and South Africa.

Metro has reached out to Oliver Tree’s representatives for comment.

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A man in his 30s arrived at the Royal London Major Trauma Centre after what sounded like a relatively minor cycling accident. He had been riding a shared ebike when he lost control and fell. By the time I met him, scans had revealed a complex fracture around his ankle where his shinbone (tibia) had pierced through his skin. He would need multiple surgeries to fix his broken bone and grafting of his skin and muscles, followed by many months of rehabilitation and a prolonged period away from work.

Cases like this are becoming increasingly familiar. Colleagues in trauma centres across several countries have described seeing similar injuries after accidents involving shared ebikes. Some surgeons began referring to the pattern informally as “Lime bike leg”.

The term is not a medical diagnosis. Rather, it describes severe injuries affecting the leg, ankle and knee following crashes involving shared ebikes. While the name comes from one of the world’s largest shared ebike operators, the injuries are not unique to any particular company. They appear to be associated with the rapid growth of shared ebike use.

Most people think of cycling injuries as cuts, bruises or perhaps a broken wrist. The injuries being described as “Lime bike leg” are often much more serious. Common examples include fractures of the tibia, dislocations of the knee or ankle and severe skin and muscle loss.

Why these injuries are different

One reason these injuries stand out is how they occur: ebikes are considerably heavier than conventional bicycles, often weighing around 30kg, and accelerate more rapidly. When riders lose control, the bicycle can fall on to the leg or trap it against the ground, creating twisting and crushing forces that are uncommon with lighter bikes. Some of the resulting injuries resemble those more often seen in motorcycle crashes.

Part of the explanation is straightforward: many more people are riding ebikes than ever before. Shared ebike schemes have expanded rapidly across cities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Ebicycles are now one of the fastest-growing forms of urban transport.

As usage has increased, so too have injuries. In London, shared ebike users now account for about 20% of serious cycling casualties, compared with about 1% less than a decade ago.

A recent US study examining almost 14,000 injuries involving bicycles, ebikes and escooters found that ebike injuries doubled between 2021 and 2022. Around 15% of injured riders required admission to hospital, while fractures were the most common injury sustained. About one-third of ebike injuries involved a collision with a motor vehicle.

These figures need context. The overwhelming majority of journeys end safely. Lime reports that more than 99.99% of rides are completed without incident. Yet when millions of journeys are made each year, even a very small risk per ride can translate into a substantial number of serious injuries.

Research suggests that severe injuries are more strongly associated with factors such as older age, alcohol use and collisions with motor vehicles than with the type of bicycle itself. Once these factors are taken into account, injured ebike riders are no more likely to require hospital admission than conventional cyclists.

That finding shifts attention towards the circumstances of the crash. Many serious injuries occur when riders are unfamiliar with the handling characteristics of ebikes. Others happen when speed is too high for conditions, particularly on wet roads, uneven surfaces or crowded streets.

Treatment depends on the injury. Minor soft-tissue injuries, involving ligaments and muscles, can often be managed with rest and physiotherapy. Fractures are a different matter, often requiring surgery using metal plates, screws, or rods to stabilise the broken bones and grafts to replace the damaged skin and muscle.

Recovery is rarely quick. Patients may spend weeks walking with crutches and many months, often years, rebuilding strength and confidence. Some continue to experience pain, stiffness or reduced mobility long after the fracture has healed.

Mostly preventable

Many of these injuries are potentially preventable. Riders who are new to ebikes should recognise that they handle differently from conventional bicycles. The extra weight affects braking, cornering and balance – particularly at low speeds.

Many serious crashes occur without another vehicle being involved. Avoiding mobile phone use while riding and taking extra care in wet conditions may be just as important as watching out for traffic. Alcohol also features disproportionately in studies of ebike injuries.

Helmets will not prevent a broken leg. They can, however, reduce the risk of head injury, which remains one of the most common and potentially devastating consequences of cycling crashes.

“Lime bike leg” remains an informal label rather than a recognised diagnosis. Yet behind the nickname lies a genuine clinical observation. As shared ebikes become a routine part of city life around the world, trauma surgeons are seeing a new pattern of injury emerge alongside them.

As the huge project gets underway, drivers have been advised to use alternative routes in the city

Works are beginning to transform Cardiff’s Callaghan Square as part of the first phase of the Cardiff Crossrail. The scheme is a new tram-train route set to be built between Cardiff Central Railway Station and Cardiff Bay.

The scheme, which work is set to start on Monday, June 15, marks the beginning of an ambitious vision for the project, which, when complete, will deliver a “modern tram system” connecting Plasdwr in the north-west of the city with the proposed new Parkway Railway Station in the east.

It is backed by £100 million in joint funding from the Welsh Government and the UK Government’s levelling up fund, and is a joint project between Cardiff Council and Transport for Wales, with GRAHAM appointed as the principal contractor. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

The first phase of the project will help manage the increase in footfall, transport visitors to and from Cardiff’s 16,500-seat indoor arena, currently under construction, and carry workers, residents and visitors between the bay and the city centre.

What the first phase of the scheme will deliver:

• A new tram-train connection between Cardiff Central Station and Cardiff Bay, via the new Loudoun Square Railway Station, which is currently under construction.
• New tram platforms at Cardiff Central Railway Station and an additional platform at Cardiff Bay Railway Station.
• A new twin-track tramway through Callaghan Square.
• A simpler road layout, making the area safer and easier to use.
• New pedestrian spaces, landscaping and sustainable drainage.
• Fully segregated cycle routes and improved pedestrian crossings.

Travel disruption

Cardiff Council says there will be impacts on the highway network while work takes place.

Although there will be no road closures during the first phase of the enabling works, there will be a reduction in traffic lanes on Callaghan Square while the site is cleared and the contractor begins diverting utilities beneath the carriageway.

Variable message signs on major routes into the city are already providing advance notice to motorists, with additional on-street signage being installed on roads approaching Callaghan Square later this week.

Motorists are advised to consider alternative routes while these works are underway:

• From the north, motorists are advised to use North Road, Boulevard de Nantes and Fitzalan Place.
• From the east, motorists are advised to use Newport Road and Glossop Road.
• From the south and west, motorists are advised to use the A4232 (Link Road) and Central Link.

What’s been said…

Cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, councillor Dan De’Ath, said: “This is a long-term investment in Cardiff’s public transport infrastructure and will play a key role in supporting major developments across the city, including the redevelopment of Cardiff Central Railway Station, the regeneration of Callaghan Square, the new indoor arena and the Atlantic Wharf redevelopment in Cardiff Bay.

“The vision for Cardiff Crossrail is clearly set out in the city’s 10-year transport vision. This is about building a greener, more sustainable and affordable transport system for the city.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience while we deliver these vital works.

“As the first phase of the Cardiff Crossrail will run through Callaghan Square, the work involved is very complex, as significant work must take place to divert key utilities beneath the carriageway that serve businesses and residents in the city centre and beyond.”

Deputy minister for transport, Mark Hooper said: “I am delighted that work is due to start this month on Cardiff Crossrail.

“I am committed to the delivery of high quality, affordable public transport and thanks to the Welsh Government’s £50m investment, Cardiff Crossrail will improve connectivity in our capital city.”

Chief infrastructure officer from Transport for Wales, Dan Tipper, said: “The start of works on this first phase is an important milestone in delivering improved public transport for Cardiff.

“Working in partnership with Cardiff Council, we’re focused on creating modern, reliable and more sustainable ways for people to travel across the city.

“Crossrail is a key part of our vision for a South Wales Metro that will support Cardiff’s continued growth, improve connectivity and provide greater choice for residents, businesses and visitors.

“We’d like to thank the public for their patience as we begin this essential work.”

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And contracts director at GRAHAM, Andrew Henry, said: “Work starting on site is a crucial moment for the Cardiff Crossrail project, which will fundamentally change how people move around the city.

“Callaghan Square is a busy, working environment, with significant utility diversions required beneath the carriageway before trackwork can begin. Our team has planned this carefully to keep disruption to a minimum, and we would ask road users to follow the signage in place and allow a little extra time for their journeys.

“Cardiff has an exciting few years ahead and we are proud to be delivering infrastructure of this scale in the city. Our team looks forward to handing over a tram-train connection that will serve residents and visitors for generations.”

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This crash reportedly happened on Tonge Moor Road at around 5,30pm on the afternoon of Saturday June 13, with emergency services called to the scene.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing at least two cars appeared to have been damaged in the incident, with police officers, firefighters and paramedics all called to Tonge Moor Road.

An eyewitness said: “It seemed like a crash, two cars were badly damaged and they seemed to be cutting someone out of one of the cars.”

Police were on the scene (Image: Public)

She added: “It happened near Happy House on Tonge Moor Road.”

Images from the scene show a large emergency services presence, with uniformed officers on the streets and vehicles parked around the area.

At least two cars are believed to have been involved (Image: Public)

Tonge Moor Road is one of the major routes through the north east of the town, with the incident believed to have happened between the junctions with Saddle Street and Lichfield Street.

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for comment.

Anyone with any further information or concerns about the incident on Tonge Moor Road or about road safety in their areas can call police on 101.

Members of the public have been advised to always call 999 in the event of an emergency as soon as it is safe to do so.

Coxhoe, a former mining village about five miles south of Durham City, sits just off the A177 near Junction 61 of the A1(M).

It also has a literary claim to fame.

Coxhoe Hall, now demolished, was the birthplace of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who was born there in 1806 and went on to become one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era

For all that, plenty of people still stumble over the name.

How do you pronounce it?

Visitors arriving from outside County Durham tend to pronounce it as it looks on the sign: Cox-hoe. Locals wince.

To anyone who has grown up here, it has always been Coxer, rhyming with “boxer”, and that is how you will hear it on Front Street, in the workingmen’s clubs and on the touchline on a Sunday morning.

What’s in a name?

The explanation lies in the village’s history and the way Durham speech has evolved. Coxhoe Village Hall’s history of the area notes that the “hoe” element comes from Old English, meaning a heel or promontory of land, a raised piece of ground.

Over centuries of use in local dialect, that longer ending has been worn down in everyday speech until the “hoe” is little more than an “er” sound at the back of the throat.

Old spellings of the place name back this up. Records show versions such as Cokeshoui in 1235, Coksouw in 1344, Coksow in 1553 and Coxsey as late as 1794.

Each reflects how people were actually saying the name at the time, and none of them suggest anyone was ever carefully pronouncing the “hoe” on the end.

The first part of the name is thought to come from a personal name, probably the person who originally held the land, which makes Coxhoe essentially “Cox’s promontory”.

The developer says she has had to turn away at least 37 families because of a planning condition

A housing development stands virtually deserted despite construction being finished and the properties being marketed for two years. The homes are situated in the small village of Brynteg – near the popular seaside town of Benllech in Anglesey.

They are marketed as “turnkey” properties that come furnished and move-in ready. However, at Parc Delfryn, located adjacent to Storws Wen golf club, just two of the 16 developed homes have found buyers.

The developer attributes this to a planning condition imposed when approval was granted in 2007. This requirement specified that the three-bedroom houses could only be utilised as holiday properties. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter.

This restriction had not hindered sales during an earlier 20-property development that was finished in 2022. That initial phase by the same developer was snapped up remarkably quickly, reports North Wales Live.

However, the landscape has shifted in recent years with mounting concerns about insufficient local housing.

This has resulted in limitations being placed on holiday homes, with second properties subject to a council tax premium (presently 100% on Anglesey) unless they qualify as holiday lets that are rented out for a minimum of 182 days annually.

This has dampened demand for second homes on the island. While the measures have been applauded by many, it has proved detrimental for the developer of Parc Delfryn.

With merely two of the 16 homes sold – the developer wishes to pursue a different approach. They are calling on Anglesey council to remove the planning restriction and permit the properties to be marketed as residential dwellings.

A planning agent says the applicant and owner Collette Cartwright has indicated she would be willing to accept conditions limiting sales to individuals with ties to the island.

The properties are currently on the market at £250,000 following several price reductions.

Agent Simon James, from PLanD, said: “A phase one scheme, also built out by the applicant, comprised 20 holiday homes under a separate planning permission, and was commenced in February 2020.

“This was completed by Easter 2022, the dwellings were marketed and were sold very quickly, however, this took place prior to the tax changes brought into place by the Welsh Government to deter the growth in holiday and second homes in favour of primary residential uses, and which, in line with their objectives, have dramatically affected the local property market.”

He added: “To date, the applicant, notwithstanding the extensive efforts expended in seeking to sell the dwellings over two years, has only sold two properties.

“This in particular has occurred at a time when there is both clear government policy pressure to discourage the creation of holiday homes, in preference to full residential dwellings, and demonstrably, a good level of demand for family homes, itself increased by declining delivery of family homes and a likely rise in demand as both interest rates fall and recently announced significant economic investment in the area.

“There are therefore 14, fully completed, modern family homes ready to be occupied, but which, because of the particular occupancy restriction imposed, are unattractive in the market for the consented, restricted use, even though the price has been reduced quite substantially over time.

“At the same time, in the view of the marketing agents, the dwellings would have been very attractive in the general housing market as family dwellings.

“The applicant has turned away at least 37 families who enquired about the potential purchase of the properties as full time family homes, i.e, these were not general searches, but specific enquiries made of the properties.”

Estate agents Dafydd Hardy and Beresford Adams were asked to compile a report on the marketing history of the site.

It concluded: “We have, we believe, demonstrated that a comprehensive, wide-ranging and sustained marketing campaign has been carried out with a very engaged client/owner who has responded to the marketing advice we have given.

“This has yielded very little positive results, and this indicates that the market for second/holiday homes, at the very least in Brynteg, is simply not there at this time.

“The question therefore is, is it right to leave valuable housing stock lying idle when it can be put to a positive and sustainable use, and meet the acknowledged need of local families seeking attractive and long-term family housing.”

The application is currently under review by planning officials at Anglesey Council.

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Bridgerton actor James Bradwell has opened up about taking on the iconic role of Sgt Gavin Troy in the Midsomer Murders stage play alongside Daniel Casey

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Bridgerton star James Bradwell has shared his experience of portraying Sgt Gavin Troy in the stage production of Midsomer Murders.

The actor, known for his portrayal of Lord Basilio in Bridgerton, is appearing alongside Daniel Casey, who originally played Sgt Troy in the ITV series with John Nettles but has since taken on the lead detective role of DCI Tom Barnaby in the theatrical version.

Last year, the duo assumed the principal roles in a stage adaptation of Caroline Graham’s The Killings at Badger’s Drift, which served as the pilot for the ITV programme.

In a recent interview, the actor discussed his experience working with Daniel and whether he experienced any “pressure” in taking on the character of Sgt Troy.

Speaking to Jadar, James shared, “I felt that pressure when I was cast, and I was able to reach out to Dan. Dan has been so generous, and so lovely with his time for me, and being really intent on having our own dynamic that feels like our own detective buddy feeling, in the same way that he had such a longstanding rapport with John Nettles.

“But he was very clear from day one. He said he’s in the same boat since he’s stepping into John Nettles’ shoes, and those are big shoes to fill. And so that pressure was eased because we were both sort of went through that experience together.”

As the present tour draws to a close, it has been announced that Daniel will reprise his role as DCI Tom Barnaby in 2027, though it remains unclear whether James will accompany him in the extended tour.

This second tour will present the same narrative but with a fresh ensemble of performers, reports the Express.

The synopsis reveals: “Emily Simpson is found dead in the picturesque village of Badger’s Drift, her friend Lucy Bellringer refuses to accept it was an accident.

“DCI Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin, Troy are called in to investigate, uncovering a world of hidden passions, long-buried secrets and deadly rivalries.”

The Killings at Badger’s Drift served as the original pilot episode for Midsomer Murders in 1997 and was the opening instalment of the book series by Caroline Graham.

The tour is scheduled to commence in Birmingham on 23 April and conclude in Newcastle on 31 July 2027.

“Since returning to the world of Midsomer last October, it has been such a delight to see the incredible reaction of people around the UK and Ireland to our theatre version of The Killings at Badger’s Drift and, most importantly for me, getting my dear friend John Nettles’ seal of approval after he saw it in Truro,” Daniel shared in a recent interview with the Radio Times.

“So it is wonderful that, after such a successful first tour, we will be touring to even more venues in 2027. Thank you to all those people who have shown such love for the play, and I can’t wait to bring it to a whole new audience in some wonderful new venues in 2027.”