15/03/2012 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Anne Davies and Dominic Heale. Our

top story tonight - a plea for help for soldiers traumatised in battle.

Lee Bonsall's best friend was killed in Afghanistan. Earlier this

month, he committed suicide. post-traumatic stress disorder

should've been diagnosed when he was in the army. He should have had

help. Also tonight, the crash in fog that

brought chaos to the M1. Plus sheep farmers on alert as a

new virus threatens their lambs. the continent, people have been

suffering 5-15% losses in the lamb crop and that would be a big

financial blow in one year. And for the BBC's School Report,

Ciara shoots a question at Lord Coe. How come netball isn't an Olympic

sport? That's a question I get from Good evening and welcome to the

programme. First tonight, the family of a former soldier who

killed himself after being discharged from the army, say the

MOD let him down and that he should have been given more support. They

claim Lee Bonsall from Warsop was suffering from post-traumatic

stress disorder but it wasn't At their Warsop home, the Bonsall

family are going through photos of Lee to be displayed at his funeral

and wake tomorrow. This one was taken just 24 hours before his

widow found him hanging at their Tenby home earlier this month.

had some Peter, sang some songs, it was a beautiful moment. Total shock.

Yes macro, completely. We were not expecting anything like this.

24-year-old Lee was discharged from the army almost five years ago for

going absent without leave. His behaviour had changed after his

close friend Private Andrew Cutts from Blidworth was killed in

Afghanistan. Lee returned to the barracks to find their beloved

Mansfield Town flag already taken down. The flag and lock had gone,

they had taken it away. It dup like an empty space there. We came back

and there was an empty space. -- it felt like there was an empty space.

Since last year, Lee had been on anti-depressants but his family

believe he was suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder which had

been missed by the army. He should have been held and have been

diagnosed. How do you feel about the fact he was not? I am angry. I

lost my boy, we have lost our boy. It makes me feel angry. Very angry.

His mother, who manages a GP's surgery, also wants to know why the

army didn't pass on Lee's medical notes to his doctor. I want to make

sure these soldiers get all the help they need before they get out

from the army and if they do get out, I want to make sure the

medical notes follow them to the GP practices so they are aware of what

they have been through. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence

At tomorrow's funeral, instead of flowers, the Bonsall family has

asked for donations to a veterans' psychological support charity.

We're joined by Professor Stephen Regel from the University of

Nottingham, who's a psychotherapist and an expert in post-traumatic

stress disorder. Thank you for coming in. We talk about post-

traumatic stress disorder but how does it actually manifest itself?

The symptoms that most people will understand our recognised either

from the media or popular media, things like nightmares. What is

often called "flashbacks", it they relive the trauma whatever that

might be. That is usually accompanied by things like smell,

that is common. People involved in traffic accidents might smell the

burning. Did you think that the military civil servants, government,

politicians and the general public understand this? I think in the

military... Certainly the medical aspect and side of the military is

used to this, military psychiatry and the mental health services,

they will be very aware Robert. They often do publish quite a lot

of research in this area. -- very aware of it. Generally people in

the military, the average soldier, may know of it if they have had

some experience. But not specifics. Can it be treated? It manifests

itself in these ways, it is there a single way of dealing with it was

what we don't usually say there is a cure. Usually the symptoms which

we try to help people deal with, is that people avoid situations and

triggers, reminders, watching the news on television, anything that

has a reminder of their trauma. Resonances should be avoided. The

people we see of them might be four years after the event. This is long

term, isn't it? Is there the money and support out there for this sort

of thing? For soldiers? Yes. Some admit they get help within the

military. I do not know about the specific cases but they do have

services within the military. The army hospital in Catterick, for

example and other places in the UK were people are treated, not just

for the physical injuries like in Birmingham, but are provided help

for mental health problems associated with their experiences.

Or they might have just part of other things they experience,

anxiety, pressure and things like that. We will leave it there but

thank you for coming in to speak to Next tonight, the M1 reopened about

two hours ago after a day of chaos on our roads. Just after 3 o'clock

this morning, four lorries heading north collided in thick fog near

Trowell Services in Nottinghamshire. The motorway was closed for more

than 12 hours between junctions 25 and 26. Our reporter James Roberson

has spent the day on the M1. The police made an extraordinary appeal

to drivers this morning, didn't they? That's right. It was about 4

o'clock this afternoon when the motorway finally reopened but when

we were down on the carriageway earlier filming, the police were

telling us they were astonished to see drivers passing on the

southbound side taking pictures of the crash on the northbound as they

went past. Basically the, the police were saying "don't do it, it

is really dangerous". The weather here is quite clear now but it was

a different kettle of fish earlier in the early hours of this morning

for stopping lorries collided at about 20 past 3:00am this morning

in thick fog with only about 20 metres visibility.

It is thought this lorry came across a small red car travelling

slowly in the fog and had to brake suddenly. As a result of hitting

the brakes, the resulting tanker has seen the other transport

vehicles seen the back and forced it out into the road and an

Eddystone but vehicle which is behind them all in a different

position -- at Eddystone but vehicle. Two other drivers were

taken to the Queen's Medical Centre for treatment, one is badly hurt.

The motorway closure meant other drivers were trapped at Trowell

Services for hours. This woman had stopped for an overnight break from

Wales. I got up this morning at six, got my curtains and it was dead

quiet. I thought I was dreaming, to be honest. It was quite bizarre.

The seriousness of the accident meant the investigation and

clearance of the motorway took well into the afternoon. All I can say

is I am sure that everybody gets as frustrated when they have to be

diverted off and spend hours in traffic. It was a difficult journey

for myself in an emergency vehicle. The fact is if you think about your

own families, you would want us to be securing the best evidence to

find out exactly what happened. is quite nerve-racking when you see

a bad accident like that. It makes you aware of what you are doing on

the road. The motorway was reopened just after 4 o'clock this afternoon.

For the lady, it had been in 19 The police are saying to us this

evening that they would like, if possible, to talk to the driver of

the small car he was involved in the accident but may have actually

driven away completely unaware of what had happened behind him

causing that crash. Also tonight, we do not yet know the identities

of the drivers but we understand they are still being treated in

That fog caused problems across our region last night and through the

rush hour. Can we expect a repeat tonight? We will see some mist and

fog tonight, especially where the cloud managed to break throughout

today. A bit more of a breeze starting to pick up and that should

help clear the fork out of the way. I will have more for you at the end

Next tonight, it's the news farmers across the East Midlands have

dreaded. The Schmallenberg virus has been found on two farms here -

one in Leicestershire, the other in Lincolnshire. The disease causes

birth defects and miscarriages in livestock and there are fears it

could cost the farming industry These lambs were born while we were

filming. Thankfully for farmer Charles Sercombe, the virus isn't

here. These lambs are fit and healthy. But Charles admits these

are troubling times. Schmallenberg was to be confirmed

here, it would have a fairly serious impact. Not only would be

lose a percentage of this year's lamb crop, we are dependent on

selling in-lame sheep to other breeders and we would not be able

to do that if the thought it was a possibility of selling infected

sheep. The farm in Leicestershire infected

with the Schmallenberg virus hasn't been identified. But that farm

isn't alone as over 150 animals across the UK have been affected.

It's thought the virus, which causes late abortions and birth

abnormalities in lambs, calves and kids, is spread by midges.

Charles is not the only one worried, farmers across Leicestershire are

worried and it is not surprising. This is the time of year when sheep

farmers make their money and this virus could cost the industry

millions of pounds. I have estimated in Leicestershire, the

lamb crops would be world at -- worth about �12 million per year.

If we seek 10% losses of Lamb's duty this virus, you can think of

the figures we are thinking in lost income.

And it's not just farmers in Leicestershire who are worried.

want these lambs to be born healthy and fit, at the animal welfare is a

great concern. We do not know what will happen. The NFU fears that

there could be more cases across Leicestershire and is urging

A man was arrested in the early hours of this morning after a

stand-off with armed police. Officers were today searching the

house boat at Sandiacre in Derbyshire where he'd been

surrounded for more than 12 hours. The man was wanted for allegedly

breaching the terms of a violent offender order and for questioning

on suspicion of burglary and theft. Fears that he was armed proved to

be false. I basically drove past on my bike last night at about 8

o'clock to see the armed response unit. The front of the pub was

cordoned off. A lot of the residents were out on the street.

bit apprehensive, really. We only live over the road. We were a bit

apprehensive that there was a police helicopter flying overhead,

not knowing what is going off. Then we heard that there was a gunman

across the road. A mother has appeared in court

charged with the manslaughter of her two-year-old son. Riley

Pettipierre died in hospital on Tuesday after falling ill at his

home in Belper. Today 32-year-old Sally Dent appeared at Derby

Shaun Binfield, who's 44, appeared alongside her, charged with the

same offence. They were both remanded and will appear at

Nottingham Crown Court later this month.

Councillors are meeting in Derby this evening to discuss the plans

for a new 5,000-seater velodrome. At Pride Park. If approved the �28

million centre would also be a major concert venue and have

facilities for basketball and badminton. The plans could be given

the go-ahead tonight. But the Government could still call the

plans in, meaning it would make the final decision.

Today is the BBC News School Report Day when hundreds of students

across the East Midlands became journalists for a day. The news

team at Shepshed High School in Leicestershire wanted to focus on

the Olympics and what it means to young people at their school. So,

as you can never aim too high, they went down to the Olympic Park in

London and put their questions directly to Lord Coe. Here's their

Mrs Keenan. And Kirov. And behind us as the Olympic Stadium where the

opening ceremony of the Olympics takes place. Today we will look

around the Olympic Park. It is looking absolutely fantastic.

I have from the East Midlands, how come netball is not an alleged

export? If you are from the East Midlands, that is a hotbed of

netball. I know Loughborough University, Sue Campbell who is the

chair of UK Sport, she was a national netball coach. It is for

the International Olympic Committee to decide which sport go through.

So is the Olympics all about London or does it matter to us living in

Leicestershire? The is his our school, only a few

miles away from Loughborough where Arabic athletes are training.

do the Olympics mean to us? -- the Olympic athletes are training.

really interested in tight one though. I think it will be a great

opportunity for Great Britain, seeing it is in our country, people

will be watching. James who is in year seven has been nominated to be

a torch-bearer in the torch relay. I am very excited and my mother and

father were excited as well. It will be really good if I could hold

it. This is the sport education lesson in physical education way

you take it in turn to do different roles such as an umpire, manager or

What does our p teacher think about the Olympics and what it will do

for our School? I think it will inspire children to take part in

different sports, those they have not tried before. It has been a

great day looking around and we are really looking forward to the

Olympics. We will be cheering on all our (athletes and hope they win

lots of medals. This is Keri. kin and, reporting for the BBC from

the Olympic Park in London. We love his microphone technique! I will

adopt that, I think. They did very well. We have got another report

before the end of the programme. And in sport,

From now until the London Olympics it'll be "Olympic Thursday" across

much of the BBC. We're joining in today with a couple of great

Olympic women. But news for you first, Nottingham's former World

Champion boxer Carl Froch has confirmed his next fight, against

Lucian Bute, will be at the Nottingham Arena on 26th May. A

plan to fight at the City Ground has been scuppered by technical

In rugby, no change for the Tigers in the England Rugby team. So

Tuilagi, Parling, Croft and Cole all start against Ireland. Ben

Youngs is on the bench. Cricket, and confirmation of the

name of Notts' new Chief Executive. Lisa Pursehouse has been at Trent

Bridge for ten years, most recently as Deputy Chief Executive. She

replaces Derek Brewer who's moving to be Chief Executive at Lord's.

Now, the Olympics and the latest in our look at sports from archery to

weightlifting. Today it's boxing. To find out why we should love the

sport, I've been to see a young woman from near Derby who has more

reason than most to love the Four years ago, this woman was not

allowed to compete in the Olympics but now in London, they will and

the ball to Lee, that means the ticket to Rio 2016 is possibility.

After the Olympics and people will see what girls can do and we will

see that it is not just messing around. She certainly is not

messing about, even though she has to share her training hall with

Because while the ladies are calling House, the women in the

background have been moving on. Today, she is at a Team GB

assessment based in Sheffield. have that opportunity is the best

opportunity ever. I would love it, to get onto the team. It would mean

everything to me. It is so much different, they have got a

nutritional less, a psychologist, a doctor, everything. Everything is

there for you. -- a doctor studying My passion is boxing, but it is

nice for the younger girls to have somebody to look up to. They can

think, "I want to be just as good as you". We have got a very strong

reputation for women's boxing and we will get stronger. The question

sticks around, what does it feel like, woman or man, to step into a

ring to hit or be hit? A weird feeling. Going in there, you get a

buzz. You do not really remember much after. It is just the

adrenalin. You are trying not to get punched, trying to punch, it is

a weird sport to achieve in. Levels From an Olympian of the future - we

hope - to one of today's. Nottingham gymnast Becky Downie has

her training back on track after a recent injury. That means she's

finding time to inspire the very youngest. Helen Barnes is reporting

for us on the Olympic legacy and Olympic hysteria is spreading into

the school. It is not every day they get one of the best gymnasts

coming into the school so it is not surprising that the children are

Becky Downie came 12th in the Beijing Olympics and has won seven

British titles and two Commonwealth medals. I have come here today to

promote the Olympics and to promote gymnastics and to inspire hopefully

the children. I will show you some of the

different things you can do while How does it feel when all the

cheering goes on, they are cheering your name? It feels great, it makes

you think what you have achieved and how much you have achieved can

help other people. As a teacher myself, I have seen a

lot of assemblies over the years but few that have captured the

enthusiasm of the children like this. It has made me what to do

sport. It was amazing to have her in our school for. Brilliant.

has left the children wanted to learn everything. Does it ever that

when you stretch? What type of food do you eat? What is your favourite

move? It is fantastic, she is from the local area which is great

inspiration for our children and I hope it inspires other kids to get

out there. These two are our up-and-coming

gymnasts in the school. It is nice to have our school host Becky.

has really inspired us, the things that she does. The kids are buzzing,

this is a brilliant opportunity that the Olympics is providing to

get the children engaged and In case you're wondering, the

answers to those questions were, in order, "Yes, it hurts, sushi and

chocolate, and her own move on the bars - the Downie". So now you know,

if you can remember the questions, As we've said, schools from around

our region have been taking part in the BBC's School Report Day today.

One of the aims is for these young journalists to report on stories

that really matter to them. Two pupils from Hastings High School in

Leicestershire wanted to tell a story of friendship. Charlie is a

keen disabled sportsmen, but one person he couldn't compete against

was his best friend, Abby. Until she decided to borrow a wheelchair.

Here's their story in their own I am Abby. And I am Charlie the

will stop and we are reporting for I don't usually used a wheelchair

but when I play with Charlie, I do. It is a brand new experience and I

am loving every minute of it. I didn't expect to be able to play

a sport, disabled sport, with one of my able-bodied friends so it is

really could have they can get involved and see it from my level

and what challenges disabled sport and my life holds.

I am not a been joking any more! Abby and I have been friends for 10

years. I have always loved sport. Abby started playing tennis with me

a few years ago. I realised how difficult wheelchair tennis

actually is for Charlie so it makes me understand him a bit more.

think he has been really good because not only can the Abby play

with me, they can come to my world and see what tennis does for me and

how I enjoy it and she can have that as well. I already compete in

a number of different disability sport. Every year at Stoke

Mandeville, and one day I want to be a Paralympic athletes. I cannot

compete in the disabled sports, but I will be cheering Charlie on every

step of the way. That is just a lovely, lovely story. More from the

BBC's School Report later. And now Not as much fog around tonight but

we will see some forming where the cloud broke this morning. It was a

bit hit and miss and a rather for the picture to show you. This is a

picture from Steve Adams, the chapel on the hill at Kimberley.

Berry for be seen there. It is coming in, keep them coming in --

very foggy there. It is nice to see what is happening across the region.

A few clear spells across the eastern side of the Midlands and

that is where the fog patches will more likely be. We could have them

creeping West but the breeze is also starting to pick up through

this evening so that should help lift the fork into low cloud. We

have got a lot of cloud continuing to filter in from the West say

minimum temperatures seven of six Celsius. We will stay cloudy

through the daytime tomorrow and we see the odd glimmer of bright as

working its way through. Into the afternoon, may be a few more bricks

appearing but it could be similar to today where we start to see the

sunshine and then the cloud takes it away again. But the breeze

coming from the West and a bit more of a breeze around, hopefully it

might improve things into the afternoon. It will still feel fresh

tomorrow and a maximum daytime temperature of 12 Celsius. We have

been talking about rain coming in for the weekend, and we still up

our weather front working its way from the north-west. It depends on

the positioning, it is moving further west and north but it will

work its way down towards the south-east corner through Saturday

and that will fragment over as but still producing some heavy bursts

at times. It could turn a bit Winfrey over high ground. We have

still got the remnants of the front sitting across the south-east

corner on Sunday morning. We will start off quite wet again on Sunday,

gradually clearing and possibly when she with a few showers that

could contain some hail behind but also high pressure pushing up from

the South so this weekend is the only chance we will see some rain