Something Nasty in the River Bush 2?

The story so far.

Picasa Photostream Album updated Monday, Jun 14

Moyle Council Official Replies

"Council has no responsibility for dealing with water pollution incidents. This lies with NIEA.

I responded to the request made by Cllr X at the Moyle District Council meeting of 24th May and visited the River Bush at Bushmills on the morning of the 25th. I confirmed that foam was present on the surface of the river.

On returning to the office I contacted a member of NIEA staff who advised me that the Agency had already received and investigated a similar complaint. My understanding was that no significant incident, if any, had occurred.

Cllr X was advised of this on the 26th."

Portrush Raft Race 2010

BBC's Alan Simpson and Gerry Kelly

Photos and slideshow with captions

Caravans Threatened By Gorse Fire At Ballycastle

The fire service is dealing with a major gorse fire at Silvercliffs Holiday Village in Ballycastle which is situated on a mature 28 acre park, partially wooded,  commanding breath-taking views over Ballycastle Bay and enclosed by the cliffs of Fair Head and Rathlin Island.

The fire started on the cliff face under the caravan site and is being tackled by over 25 firefighters with appliances from Ballycastle, Ballymoney Portrush and Kilrea in attendance.

The fire quickly spread, according to a eye witness, from the caravan site and many caravaners close to the cliff edge feared for the safety of their vans and lives.

The fire service is still tackling the blaze at 1830 hrs this evening [Monday, May 31] which has seen some of the North Coast’s most treasured wildlife and natural habitat destroyed; The fire is thought to have been started deliberately.

HMS Gannett and Rathlin Island

Kevin McAuley
Photography/Multimedia

Two Calls in One Day

Busiest 24 hours for HMS Gannet's search and rescue team
May 27, 2010 [source: Royal Navy via shepherd dot co dot uk]
 

In the mist and drizzle of a shrouded West Coast of Scotland the Royal Navy's helicopter search and rescue duty crew of HMS Gannet have had their busiest 24-hour period of the year so far with no less than five call-outs. ....

What was then to become a very busy evening kicked off in earnest at 1600hrs with a call to effect a medical evacuation from Rathlin Island off the coast of Northern Ireland. Having embarked on the sortie, the crew was then recalled when the casualty was transferred by other means. ...

Barely an hour later though the alarm sounded once more and the helicopter was airborne at 2205hrs bound for Rathlin Island again, once more for a medical transfer to Coleraine Hospital on the mainland. The crew touched back down at Prestwick at 0030hrs the following morning.

After managing to catch some sleep, with just quarter-of-an-hour of their 24-hour duty remaining, an emergency call came in at 0845hrs and the Sea King was airborne at 0850hrs and heading for Campbeltown to transfer a casualty to Glasgow.

Added May 31

A man who suffered a heart attack on Rathlin Island on Sunday afternoon was airlifted from Rathlin by members of the Royal Navy SAR Sea King Helicopter based at HMS Gannet in Prestwick to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. Picture Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia