30/04/2012 South Today

Hello, I'm Sally Taylor and welcome to South Today. The main stories: A

lucky escape for one couple whose car ended up upside down, but a man

dies as a car tries to cross fast moving ward of.

The water was very fast-flowing. At the point where the car was

submerged, it was about five feet. -- moving water.

Seven years in jail for the driver who drove his tanker into his

estranged wife's home. A Premier League pairing - double

celebrations for St Anne the Royals as both go up.

And the first Olympic record created by a 2000 school children.

By am happy that we have done it for charity and broken a world

A man has died after the car he was travelling in became completely

submerged as it drove across a Ford on a road on the Hampshire-

Berkshire border. Fire crews have described how they eat try to get

into the vehicle after it was washed downstream at Compton Wood

near Newbury. A woman managed to escape from the trap car. Let's

join Bennett, who is at the scene. I am in the shallows on Thornford

Road, the Ford at the bottom of that country road. Just metres away

from me, you can see a depth gauge whether water is 3 ft deep. Just

beyond that, you can see the powerful current of the flood

waters. When we arrived here at lunchtime, the depth gauge was

above four feet. When the fire service were here, trying to effect

their rescue, that sign was can it be submerged. A Hampshire Fire

fighter in a dry suit made his way onto the vehicle. It was secured

and he was then able to break the windows to the car and retrieve the

bodies of - unfortunately - of the bodies of the Mail and the dog who

were trapped inside the vehicle. -- of the man.

And man and wife aged 52 and 54 drove their Toyota car into the

area at about 9:15am. The fire service attempted to rescue them

but the car had been swept away about 200 metres downstream. The

woman managed to get out but the man tragically did not, despite the

best efforts of the fire service, and neither did the family dog, who

also died in the accident. One man who has rescued more than 30 cars

from other Ford here is a sign in, who is a local. A tragic event by

one you think was going to happen. A I am very sorry to say that the

signs are here. The road closed signs are up and this has been

going to happen for many years. I was petrified that it would happen.

I saw the emergency service vehicles coming down this morning.

I did not know what to think. I came down and I knew immediately.

Thank you. Let's talk to a representative of Hampshire Fire

and rescue. You have a very important message. My condolences

to the family of the gentleman that were killed today. We are very

clear on the advice we would like to offer. Do not enter has fallen

Fords and rivers. Water as low as the door can sweep your car away

and that is very dangerous. In the sunset and as the revolt -- river

levels drop, it could be said to look picturesque but do not be

fooled about the dangers of a flood water.

In Dorset last night, an elderly couple were rescued after a --

their car plunged off a bridge into a swollen river. It ended up upside

down in the river at West Stafford, near Dorchester.

It was a 9pm last night that a small hatchback crashed through the

wall of this bridge at West Stafford and tumbled 10 feet into

the water below. Inside the car, a 78-year-old man and a 77-year-old

woman. The couple, who ended up upside down, were lucky that Derek

Bateman heard the crash and came to help. They were upside down in the

water. The lady was up to her neck in water and she was cradling her

husband's head. It must have been horrible. Imagine being in the dark

amber freezing cold. You are shocked and I think they thought

they were going to drown. I told them the water would not get the

best of them and they relaxed. crews and paramedics got a couple

out of the car, who were suffering from the extreme effects of the

cold and taken to hospital. They are both still in hospital.

Miraculously, they have survived this horrific crash. Meanwhile,

Derek Bateman says he is just pleased he was at home at the time

and was able to offer immediate assistance.

A man who tried to use a petrol tanker as an enormous bomb to blow

up the home of his estranged wife has been jailed for seven years.

After running the tanker, laden with fuel, into the bungalow at

Wool in Dorset, Hugh Billington started fires in the property. A

passing motorist who reversed the tanker to safety has been praised

for his actions. According to Hugh Billington, early

this year something snapped. His marriage had broken down, he had

left home and was under a court order not to return. But he did -

in a dramatic act of revenge. Early on 20th January, he drove a tanker

laden with kerosene into the front of the family home. His estranged

wife ran out the back unhurt. He then went through the house setting

fires, before running away. There was an extraordinary act of bravery

here that morning. A passing motorist saw the tanker buried in

the house, saw that it was leaking fuel and saw that there was a fire

underneath it. He leapt into the cab and reversed the tanker out

into the road, away from the flames. Bad motorist was Darren Fletcher,

who had to stop his daughter of that school. The judge praised his

bravery. -- of that motorists. is close to the school. My children

were there and many more. Not only them but the residents of the

street. I know it is dangerous and looking back on it I think I

probably should not have done it but I did. Today, the court heard

that Hugh Billington intended to kill himself in a crash. He pleaded

guilty to four charges, including reckless arson. It is an extreme

example of domestic violence and one that we do not often see.

Clearly, Hugh Billington on this particular day committed a very

serious offence against his wife. The effect upon her have been

catastrophic. She has lost everything, including her marriage,

her house and her belongings. court was told that Hugh Billington

served 25 years in the Army as a musician and left with an exemplary

record. But the judge said his actions on this occasion were

wickedly irresponsible, that people were out and about - including

children - and the tanker could have become an enormous bomb. He

sentenced Hugh Billington to seven years in prison.

A number of current and former Brighton and Hove Albion

footballers are to appear in court in the City next week, after being

charged with sexual offences. Mark Sanders is in hour of Brighton

studio. Four players have been charged in

relation to an alleged sex attack. Three of them are current serving

players with Brighton and Hove Albion. They are George Barker, 20,

Lewis Dunk, 20, and Anton Rodgers, who is 19. The 4th man to face

charges is Steve Cook, who used to play for Albion but is now with

Bournemouth. All of the men are charged with sexually assaulting a

female and also with voyeurism. It relates to an alleged incident in

Brighton in last July. All four players are currently on bail.

Their first court appearances before Brighton magistrates on 11th

May. When police started making arrests in relation to this inquiry

back in January, in total six players were detained, so no action

being taken against two players. Brighton and Hove Albion are not

making any comment to light in relation to this case.

Thank you. -- tonight. There are elections on Thursday as

17 councils go to the polls. While the May vote is often a measure of

the popularity of the national government, local issues can be

decisive. In Rushmoor, which covers Aldershot and Farnborough, all the

seats are up to grabs -- up for grabs.

It was the downturn in construction that Bragg -- dragged Britain back

into recession this month so there should be a welcome sight. This

development is supposed to revitalise Aldershot. The local

Tories are pinning their hopes of what is going on here. National

factors are OK but at the end of the day, the people who pay their

council tax to the borough council want to know what they are getting.

There are not many councils in the country who can claim that their

shopping centres are being revitalised at a moment. Most are

shutting down. This is traditional Tory territory. But Conservatives

have been in control here for all but two years of the Council's 40

year history. Even then it took an alliance of Liberal Democrats and

Labour to wrestle control from the Conservatives. Lib Dems in Russia

Paul now find their colleagues backing the Tories. -- in Rushmoor.

Blue badge holders are being enlisted to help them show that

they still have a separate identity here. Although the national picture

is that they will not vote for us in a general election, but they

will vote for our known at local candidates. You could have gained a

foothold three Tory elections -- Tory concessions. But they are

gambling as their status as political outsiders to stop them

being uprooted. -- UKIP. We are in a stronger position now than we are

ever likely to be. This poll has been dominated by local issues but

one local issue for which Rushmoor is known nationally, the Gurkhas,

has turned out to be read electoral dog that did not bark. The growth

of the community is not an issue -- is an issue but not the first one

people will ask about. I am pleased to say there has been cross-party

support to try to achieve the extra funding from government. The

problem for Rushmoor is managing that issue over the next 10 years.

Aldershot gets its new town-centre late this year. The results of the

council election should be known early on Friday.

Above the list of the candidates for the location -- the Rushmoor

elections is on the BBC website. Tomorrow we look at the election

battleground in Southampton. A crash at Goodwood Motor Circuit

in which the 37-year-old racing driver died is being investigated

by police. Sandra Harrison-Moore, a doctor from Milton Keynes, is

thought to have lost control of the car up a last bend.

A �150 million project to improve the port of Southampton has been

approved. The Marine Management Association has given the go-ahead

for dredging and improve them work. It should create 200 jobs and

safeguard 1,200. Two berth book that will be combined to create the

next generation of large container vessels, which it is said will

ensure it remains competitive. Still to come: We have all the

weather details, plus a bit of silverware in the studio. More on

that later. Join me to find out whether this

school in Gosport will break a world record.

The prosecution has dropped some of the charges against a group accused

of illegal fox-hunting in West Sussex. Four members of the Crawley

and Horsham Hunt on trial, accused of breaking the hunting ban. They

deny the alleged offences. This morning, the prosecution withdrew

four of the 11 charges in the case. The hearing continues.

Police are continuing to search for a 96-year-old Brighton woman.

Nellie Herriott, who has Alzheimer's, was last seen leaving

a BhS store in the City and on a bus last Monday. She was wearing a

blue coat and a black cap. Sussex Police is asking anyone who may

have seen her to contact them. The campaign to secure medals for

veterans who braved the Arctic convoys during World War II has

been boosted with the news that an independent review will go ahead.

It will assess the rules and principles governing the award of

military campaign medals and his tutor report by summer. The Arctic

convoys kept the Russian supply route open and is the only major

see campaign in the war not to have Onto sport now, and the region will

have two teams in the Premier League next season after

Southampton joined Reading in gaining promotion. Both clubs

shared some remarkable celebrations this weekend, and Tony is here with

some of the highlights and some special guests. Tony. Wonderful

weekend. Two of the heroes of Southampton puts Mac promotion are

with us in the Saints fans are rejoicing after a 4-0 win over

Coventry guaranteed their return to the top flight. Billy Sharp

deflecting in Adam Lallana's shot. Jose Fonte's first of the season,

Jos Hooiveld on the turn and Adam Lallana rounding it off.

How you feeling quit Mark we had a very good season. We are very happy

to bring back as Southampton. of you when done to the bottom with

Southampton, when the club had financial crisis. Yes, to come from

how we were, such a short time ago, to be promoted to the Premier

League is fantastic. It was a fantastic day, and to be part of

the season has been very special. He we are in the tunnel. You needed

a win, you needed to be sure. That early save as well. We would

possibly nervous. You could sense there was apprehension. We knew

what was at stake. It was just literally getting that first goal,

and was back in, there was never going to be any other outcome.

these wonderful scenes at the end. By was thinking to run as quickly

as possible. I was more tired trying to get in the tunnel than

playing the game. But it was very nice. I think you've got the

champagne out. There you are. was fantastic. To be doing that, it

was fantastic. You have got a massive season coming up. It is

very exciting. Since I was young, I wanted to play the Premier League.

And to be able to do it next year would be under but does Margaret

unbelievable. We can enjoy the summer and be ready for next year.

I have got great memories of the Premier League. To get back in

their with a great club is what I am looking forward to. Thank you

both are joining us. Southampton were never outside the top two.

They have their deserved place in the Premier League.

There were more celebrations for Reading yesterday. One man helped

get them into the Premier League, the other seems destined to keep

them there. A mantle of ownership is being passed on any day now. The

new man takes on a club on a hike. Earlier, thousands braved wind and

rain to salute their heroes. There is a real bond between the players

and staff and supporters. It is tangible. We have won the league,

but we have had a hit for a long time now, now we have got this team.

There is a real bond between everybody. Today has been an

absolute sensation. The amount of people that turned up on a day like

today just goes to show what people think of what has occurred here in

Reading. The championship season ended with the first defeat in

eight games at Birmingham. But it was a game of three penalties, and

only one of them would find the target. Ian Hart saw his effort

saved. Birmingham put the game to bed. But in stoppage time, the

former Bournemouth winger missed. But Reading was much big moment

would be lifting the championship trophy, moments later.

And this is the trophy itself - one of the most famous in world

football. Congratulations to Reading on winning the Championship

and lifting the trophy yesterday at the Madejski Stadium. This banner

was held up by Portsmouth players in front of their travelling fans

at Nottingham Forest. The message is simple. The round-up kicks off

with Portsmouth's farewell to the Championship.

A handshake from Steve Cotterell to Michael Appleton. He may be

relieved he left Portsmouth. Appleton inherited a club about to

go into financial freefall. Forest were given the lead, 20 minutes on

the end. The format same striker headed the second a minute from

time. The fans' loyalty is what the club depends on Nov. How many of

those players will be back again next season. Honestly, I would be

very surprised if there are more than one or two. It could be as big

as 17 or 18 players leaving. So, it will obviously be a tough summer.

War-cry consigned off, born one were denied a win. But it was

levelled 11 minutes from the end. Crawley remained in League Two,

despite a 3-0 lead. A win on the final day should be enough to take

them into League One. And Aldershot came from to have been one down.

Possibly one more promotion still to come.

More than 2,000 pupils, five giant olympic rings and one world record

attempt - that's what was on the syllabus at Bay House School in

Gosport today. Schoolchildren tried to form the largest human olympic

rings. Rachael Canter was there to Demand for these tickets was always

going to be high. A team of young hopefuls, looking to set their own

Olympic record. We were just browsing on the internet, photos of

the Olympic rings. It would be amazing if we could break a record.

We do not know how many people are taking part, but we do know there

are more than 2,100, enough to break the world record, and we have

got to stand here for 10 minutes. The best place to be a spectator

was in a helicopter, but all the celebrating was on the ground.

is brilliant. We will not be in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Really excited. I am pretty happy we have done all for charity. We

had broken a world record. Everyone paid one plan to take part. The

money raised will go to and although it does matter in the

orphanage and Malawi. We now need to send of Allah evidence to the

world record. We will hope they will uproot our methods. If they do,

we should get a certificate to the praise.

The final preparations are being made for the Queen's visit to

Dorset and Wiltshire tomorrow as part of the latest leg of the

Jubilee regional tour. Pupils at this school in Sherborne have been

finishing the hats they'll be wearing during a Mad Hatters Tea

Dance being staged outside Sherborne Abbey tomorrow morning.

The Queen and Prince Philip will then move on to Salisbury for

events in and around the city's cathedral, where the arrival

fanfare has been composed by 13- There is also special coverage

through the day. And you can see all the behind-the-

scenes action of how Salisbury and Sherborne prepared to meet the

Queen this Sunday at 4.15pm, along with people who've met her here in

the South throughout her 60-year It was, officially, for the UK as a

whole, the wettest April in record. We have got more tonight and

tomorrow. We do actually have a tomorrow. We do actually have a

weather warning in force for the whole of the South. Heavy rain and

some strong wind. The yellow warning for the whole of the south,

but the Dorset, there is an ample warning. The rain is already

arriving in some parts in the south, pushing its way northwards.

Potentially, we could have 30-40mm of rain, which could cause a tricky

driving conditions. A low overnight of 10 have been 12 Celsius.

Gradually, the rain traps its way northwards, clearing most areas by

the afternoon. Have a high of 14-16 Celsius. Gusts of 30mph. He is the

forecast than Her Majesty - it will start of whiten the morning for

Sherborne. He won the job brollies. Then, Salisbury in the afternoon,

it should be drier. Tomorrow night, but will be a few clear spells

initially. And cooler temperatures and tonight. A dry spot on

Wednesday. Wednesday, all in all, is a decent day. More cloud feeding

and on the north and east, but maybe the odd shower of the

northern and eastern areas. Thursday daytime, an area of low

pressure blown in from the Atlantic. There is his by the front hovering

in from the south. Tomorrow, or if you are out and about, it will be a

very wet rush hour drive to work. That rain will be heavy tonight and