Latest news with #Peterlee
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Hartlepool and Peterlee hit by power blackout
More than 55,000 customers were left without electricity after a power cut in north-east Powergrid said areas affected included Hartlepool on Teesside and Peterlee in east Durham when the blackout hit just after 21:00 BST on company said 40,000 households and businesses had supplies restored within three it confirmed that 27 customers were still without electricity and it was "actively working in the area to fully resolve the issue as quickly as possible". Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- The Sun
Skydiver feared to have taken her own life after jumping 10,000ft from plane ‘had split with boyfriend before tragedy'
A TRAGIC skydiver is feared to have taken her own life jumping 10,000ft from a plane the day after splitting from her boyfriend. Jade Damarell, 32, died instantly after hitting the ground in Peterlee, County Durham, on April 27 earlier this year. 7 7 7 An inquest heard there were no signs of equipment failure but Jade's parachute never opened. Her skydiving club, Sky-High Skydiving, later said the horror appeared to be 'a deliberate act'. Durham Constabulary ruled out any third party involvement, and there was no suggestion of any wrongdoing or negligence by the skydiving centre. It has now emerged letters were left behind by Jade which suggested she intended to take her own life. As reported by MailOnline, Jade had broken up with her boyfriend Ben Goodfellow, 26, the day before her death. Mr Goodfellow, who was also a skydiving enthusiast, had been in a relationship with the 32-year-old for around eight months. A friend said dubbed the pair "inseparable" and claimed they "spent all their time together". They had been living together in a lodge on the skydiving site since Christmas. "The night before Jade died, they called off the relationship," claimed the source. "He went to work the next day, and that's when Jade fell to her death." Mr Goodfellow, a car technician and musician in the band Post Rome, has not spoken on the tragedy but cancelled performances due to "unforeseen circumstances". The source added how he is "absolutely distraught" by Jade's death. Coroner's officer Alexis Blighe said Jade's provisional cause of the skydiver's death was listed as "blunt trauma". Crook Coroners's Court heard Jade's body was identified by Bryn Chaffe, the chief instructor at Ms Damarell's skydiving club. 7 7 7 Area coroner Jeremy Chipperfield adjourned the full inquest until August 21. The tragedy unfolded on April 27 as Jade, who had completed more than 400 jumps, hit the ground at Wrefords' Farm. Nigel Wreford, 56, who works on farm nearby, previously said: 'I've been told by quite a few people that she knew what she was doing — she had apparently left a suicide note.' While a friend said at the time: 'This wasn't an accident. We believe she intended to take her life, sadly." Jade studied marketing at university in Leeds before marrying solicitor James Damarell in 2019. It was previously reported they lived in Yorkshire but are believed to have separated, with Jade later moving into rented accommodation used skydivers in Peterlee. You're Not Alone EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: Jade's family paid tribute following her death and called her a "brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person". They said professionally, she was "exceptionally talented" and had found "freedom and purpose" with her skydiving. The family added: "A bright, adventurous, free spirit, she lived with immense energy, passion, and love, and touched countless lives with her warmth and kindness. "We miss her beyond words but Jade's love, brilliance, courage, and light will live on in our family and among all those who knew and loved her. 'Some stars are so bright they burn through their time too quickly – but their light never truly fades. 'We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone in the emergency services and the local first responders as well as the skydiving community. Your care and compassion mean more to us than we can express. 'Lastly, if you are struggling, please reach out. Talk to someone – a friend, loved one, or professional. You are never alone." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. 7
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Tragic update into death of skydiver, 32, feared to have taken own life after jumping 10,000ft from plane
A SKYDIVER who died after jumping 10,000ft from a plane had no sign of equipment failure, an inquest heard. Jade Damarell, 32, died instantly after hitting the ground in Peterlee, County Durham, without her chute opening. 5 5 Her skydiving club, Sky-High Skydiving, later said the horror appeared to be 'a deliberate act'. An inquest heard today how there was 'no reason to suspect equipment failure'. Coroner's officer Alexis Blighe said Jade's provisional cause of Jade's death was listed as "blunt trauma". Crook Coroners's Court heard Jade's body was identified by Bryn Chaffe, the chief instructor at Ms Damarell's skydiving club. Area coroner Jeremy Chipperfield adjourned the full inquest until August 21. The tragedy unfolded on April 27 as Jade, who had completed more than 400 jumps, hit the ground at Wrefords' Farm. Nigel Wreford, 56, who works on farm nearby, previously said: 'I've been told by quite a few people that she knew what she was doing — she had apparently left a suicide note.' While a friend said at the time: 'This wasn't an accident. We believe she intended to take her life, sadly." Durham Constabulary confirmed the Jade's death was not being treated as suspicious. Jade studied marketing at university in Leeds before marrying solicitor James Damarell in 2019. It was previously reported they lived in Yorkshire but are believed to have separated, with Jade later moving into rented accommodation used skydivers in Peterlee. Jade's family paid tribute following her death and called her a "brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person". They said professionally, she was "exceptionally talented" and had found "freedom and purpose" with her skydiving. You're Not Alone EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, HUMEN Mind, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, 116 123 The family added: "A bright, adventurous, free spirit, she lived with immense energy, passion, and love, and touched countless lives with her warmth and kindness. "We miss her beyond words but Jade's love, brilliance, courage, and light will live on in our family and among all those who knew and loved her. 'Some stars are so bright they burn through their time too quickly – but their light never truly fades. 'We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone in the emergency services and the local first responders as well as the skydiving community. Your care and compassion mean more to us than we can express. 'Lastly, if you are struggling, please reach out. Talk to someone – a friend, loved one, or professional. You are never alone." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. 5 5
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rower Lauren Irwin, Peterlee's first Olympic medallist, receives Chairman's Medal
A town's first Olympic medallist said receiving County Durham's highest civic honour was a "little bit crazy".Lauren Irwin, 26, from Peterlee, secured bronze in the Women's Eight at the Paris Olympics and will represent Great Britain at the upcoming European Rowing was awarded the Chairman's Medal for her outstanding achievements in rowing and for being a "role model for the younger athletes, encouraging others to do their best and sharing her passion for the sport".Irwin said she was honoured to be recognised, saying: "There's a lot of hard work that I've done to get to where I am today." She said she would not have been able to do it without her coaches, family and her support was first introduced to rowing by her PE teacher at St Bede's RC Comprehensive School. She said it was always a dream to go to the Olympics."Looking back on it, I'm just so proud that I was never scared and never pushed away from that dream," she said."I would want people to kind of see my journey and dream big." Irwin said she had not yet got a traditional tattoo of the Olympic rings and was taking time to consider where she wants it to be."Because it's a tattoo, I just want to make sure I'm certain," Irwin award was presented by Joan Nicholson, outgoing chair of Durham County was introduced to recognise unsung heroes, community champions and those who have dedicated their lives to particular organisations or events. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
