31/08/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Good evening and welcome to Look North. The main stories tonight: an

investigation begins as a young couple fall to their deaths from a

Leeds tower block. Also, getting tougher - Wyatt mums to be in a

Yorkshire will find it harder to opt for Caesareans. And a freshly

laid piece of artwork for Bradford. And I will be back with your

detailed forecast, coming up shortly.

First tonight, a man and a woman, believed to be partners, have

fallen to their deaths from a 16- storey tower block in Leeds. The

bodies of the couple, who were in their twenties, were found at the

bottom of Clyde Court flats in Wortley at four o'clock this

morning. Police had been called a short time before, but were unable

to stop the double tragedy, which has shocked the local community.

Our Crime Correspondent John Cundy is at the scene with the latest.

Clyde Court is one of a twin block of high-rise flats. It was here in

the early hours of the morning that the double tragedy happened. Police

are still trying to explain it. It has shocked many members of the

community. The couple fell 100 ft from their death from a 12th floor

window. Police say they are not looking for anyone else in

connection with the tragedy. Shortly after 4 o'clock this

morning, police were alerted by a distressed call from a flat in

Clyde Court. Shortly after they arrived, a man and woman that fell

from the window to the ground. They both died at the scene. Neighbours

at Clyde Court spoke of hearing screaming shortly before the fall.

Today it was a community in shock. I looked out the window because my

partner had them screaming. Then there was a loud and thump. It was

really bad. There should be a risk assessment before they move people

into these flats. An investigation is continuing to ascertain the

reason behind this tragedy. So, who were these people and how did they

come to fall from those windows? All those answers still to be cut,

but a further police statement has pointed out that duped that there

was police involvement immediately prior to the deaths, West Yorkshire

Police's professional standards department has been informed, as

has the eye -- IPCC. Thank you. Pregnant women in North Yorkshire

are being told they will no longer be able to choose to have a

Caesarean section. Health officials say the operations will now only be

granted for medical reasons. It could save the Primary Care Trust

hundreds of thousands of pounds a year, but not everyone's happy

about the decision. Nicola Rees can tell us more.

To put this into some context for you, there were 1,738 Caesarean

sections carried out in North Yorkshire in the last year. Those

operations cost the NHS more than �5 million. But the vast majority

were carried out in the best interests of the mum and baby - in

other words there was a genuine health reason that meant a

Caesarean was the safest option. But according to North Yorkshire

and York Primary Care Trust, 114 of these operations were carried out

despite there being no medical reason. These are called elective

Caesareans and they cost �155,000 last year. Well now the Primary

Care Trust say they have changed their policy to stop women having a

Caesarean for convenience. They say it's not about cost cutting and

that natural births are safer. But today midwives have raised concerns

about the decision. I think it is terribly wrong. I think doctors

have spent such a long time telling women how safe Caesareans are. For

the small section of women who elected have a Caesarean, it is a

devastating thing to do to them. Back in 1992, 13% of babies in

England were delivered by Caesarean section. But that figure's almost

doubled today to 24% and most health experts agree that's too

high. Today, parents have been speaking to us about North

Yorkshire's plans to stop elective Caesarean. I do believe that people

should have a choice, however there are a lot of celebrities who choose

to have a Caesarean because they are too posh to posh and I do not

agree with that. If you can afford to have a Caesarean section then

have it. It is unfair to be NHS. The choice should be there for

medical reasons which is completely different.

Well this afternoon NHS Yorkshire and Humber have said that they

follow national guidelines and encourage medical staff to plan

Caesarean sections only when there is a clinical reason.

Well, what do you think? You can post a comment on our Facebook page

or you can send us an e-mail. You can also contact us on Twitter.

In other news, North Yorkshire Police are searching for a prisoner

who has escaped from custody. Mark Andrew Stone, who is 25 and a

convicted robber, had been released on temporary licence from

Northallerton Prison to do voluntary work at the town's

cemetery. Police think he could be heading for South Yorkshire.

A 44-year-old man has been charged with murder after a stabbing at a

block of flats in Leeds on Friday. 42-year-old Stewart McGowar died in

Armley. James Blair has been remanded in custody by Leeds

magistrates. A boy aged 15 and man aged 39, who were questioned about

the death, are on bail while inquiries continue.

Work by a team at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield

may bring hope of a vaccine for the HIV virus. A trial vaccine has been

developed that could be used to treat existing patients and also

prevent people from becoming infected. But it's at least three

to five years before it could become a reality.

Controversial plans for a Tesco superstore at a site in Harrogate

have been recommended for approval by the Borough council. Harrogate's

the only postcode area in England without a store. The retail giant

was thwarted in its attempts to open in 2007 after local objections.

People can have their say at a meeting on Tuesday, but the final

decision lies with the Secretary of State.

The number of fire stations in West Yorkshire is to be cut and 100

firefighters jobs lost in a re- organisation said to save money,

but provide better cover. Five new super stations sited in busier

areas will replace ten older ones. Job losses should be through

natural wastage. The service says the changes will save �4 million.

Coming up later on Look North: standing proud - the workers who

have stock Rotherham's spire from toppling into the town. Dash back

who have stopped. Now, nearly four months after a fire devastated

Oxfam's depot in Huddersfield, staff are still working at a

temporary site. �1 million worth of equipment was lost, along with

�60,000 worth of textiles. Our reporter had been along to see how

the staff is getting on. It looks like a scene from a

Wardown -- war-zone. It was back in May that a huge fire devastated

Oxfam's sorting depot in Huddersfield. �1 million worth of

equipment was damaged and almost four months on staff are still

counting the cost. Just to come in after the Bank Holiday and seen it

like this, it has been heartbreaking. It has been around

for over 20 years. Before the fire, around 100 tonnes of clothing and

textiles were sorted across the three warehouses every week. Much

of the work relied on machinery. Two new machines had been brought

in, but most of the sifting and sorting is now been done by hand.

We have to do a lot of Manual Handling. We have to open up access

ourselves. It is much harder, but we have got a job. In this

warehouse they sought around 80 tons of stock every week. It is not

known what caused the fire. The building is back with the landlords.

Work to clear at the site will be so because there was asbestos in

the ceilings. We are looking for a new home. We don't know when it

will be because it has to be the right place. We will keep going

until we get one. It took 12 hours to bring the fire under control. As

you can see, work goes on and donations continue to arrive, but

it will be several months before the team are back up to full

production. I didn't realise it was eight

National depot. Keep up the good work. Talking of work, this one is

to build a six acre park in Bradford City Centre. It was taken

a step forward today with the delivery of three sterna egg

sculptures. They cost �10,000 each and had been made from local stone.

It is hoped they will be a focal point of the city's latest

regeneration project. Our reporter has been finding out what the

locals think of it. Bradford has been experiencing a

long and sometimes painful rebirth, so it seems appropriate that the

artwork and the new park comes in the shape of three egg shaped

sculptures. I might be old- fashioned, but I'm not sure. What

is so special about stoned eggs? -- stone. Is that meant to be modern

art? But artist, who won the commission, has spent months

snoozing - Max moving these spherical shapes. They are very

organic and simple. When the project is complete, the art work

will sit alongside the biggest man- made waterways in the UK. We are

hopeful that in a few years' time you will see office developments

around the city park. To attract that investment, it you need an

environment that is attractive and art were forms a great part of that.

Even that won't be art work was being delivered, the city was dealt

a blow with one of its much loved department stores closing. But

hopefully the city park will be completed by the end of the year in

Now we've heard of the leaning Tower of Pisa and the crooked Spire

of Chesterfield - and now it's emerged we almost had a toppling

tower of Rotherham. Scaffolding has been supporting the Minster's Tower

for over eight months since the spire started to lean. Emma

Blackburn climbed 200 feet to find out more. He he did has been

standing tall since the 15th century, but never before have we

had a tilting Rotherham Minster. When it looked like it was leaning

that way, up went the scaffolding along with the stonemasons, and

when it looked like the work was complete, up went Look North, 200

ft, 20 of these ladders. We are not yet halfway, but it is not that

often you get that close to the tower clock. The scaffolding has

been up since before Christmas. Work started in June. It was

originally thought at the entire span that after the restructured

but three metres from the top they nailed the problem. We found an old

steeplejack's hook that had been left in the wall, which was letting

water in which was travelling down, which was corroding the spire even

more, and stripping out the stonework. It was down to one hook?

One steeplejack's hook. I bet you are crossing that worker! Now that

most of it has been repaired, the scaffolding can start to come down

next week. It has cost �140,000, which has mainly come from private

donations. He have got to accept that these things have to be done

and repairs have to be made. With this being such an unusual and

important piece of work, it is highly unlikely new route -- that

we would be able to go up again in our lifetimes. We are now 200 ft

high at the top of Rotherham Minster's power. I have been told I

am the first woman to go up this hive. Now the only problem is, I

have got to go back down! I think the leaning Tower of Rotherham

could have been quite an attraction! I am just hearing in my

earpiece that she is safe and well. Let's turn to sport now, and it's

fair to say that the "JP Trophy" will not be a top priority for any

of our clubs this season. But the final is at Wembley, so it's worth

doing well in. After last night's first round ties - with the

exception of Sheffield Wednesday - we'll have a strong presence in the

second round. Paul Ogden reports. With new manager Phil Parkinson

watching from the stands, the Bradford players saw their chance,

as Sheffield Wednesday's Gary Megson made his stock substitution

of the night, by the 18th minute. It stayed 0-0 through 90 minutes

and Sheffield Wednesday did not fare much better in the penalty

shoot out. Morrison and Palmer failed as the City keeper took

centre stage. His save from Chris Sedgwick sealed victory for

Bradford. Killing 1-0, Sheffield United turned things around with

two wiggles. David McAllister equalised and, with penalties

looming, Norwegian Erik Thomas back the winner. Their manager is

seriously hoping to get to Wembley this season. Although they will be

unhappy to have conceded an equaliser, no VAT sealed a 2-1

victory in the second - and with it, a ticket into round two. --Novak.

And of course it's transfer deadline day - a time when a team's

destiny can be changed by a last minute piece of business. Sheffield

Wednesday have signed striker Ryan Lowe from Bury, seen here scoring

against Huddersfield Town on the first day of the new campaign. It's

one of seven goals he's already scored this season, whilst the Owls

have only scored nine between them. To keep up to date with all the

comings and goings, log on to the BBC Football website where you can

also see a Football Focus Transfer Day Special from 10.30 tonight. In

cricket, Yorkshire have been playing Warwickshire today as they

battle to avoid relegation from the top division of the County

Championship. They got off to a strong start as stand-in captain

Joe Sayers made 84 and Adam Lyth weighed in with 74. But the

Warwickshire bowlers fought back after tea, and Yorkshire finished

on 254 for 8. They would have wanted a few more than that, I

think. Now this week marks a year to go until the 2012 Paralympic

Games get underway in London. And to mark the occasion, we're going

to be talking to two of our medal hopefuls. One made his mark last

time round at the 2008 Games, while the other's hoping to compete at

her first Games. That's wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft from Halifax

who's here in studio, but first Neil Smallburn has been to meet

David Stone at his home on the outskirts of Leeds. Beijing was a

great success for David Stone. Two competitions and two golds. But a

lot has changed. And you home, Monty, and your dog, and new

challenges. In 2009 I was mainly of the bike, due to an illness. In

2010... The this season has not gone to plan. David cannot get on

his bike. Preparing for an event in Belgium, the front part of his

tricycle snapped. I was knocked unconscious. I suffered whiplash.

Now, hopefully, it will get better soon. And it needs to. He is

supposed to be off to the World Championships in Denmark next week.

I'd guess I am trying to get things to improve in my 2012. The very day

I would be lying if I said I did He is so brilliant, isn't he? Had

joins us now. We have kept talking to you many times. Now it is coming

down to a reality. It is one year to go, less than 365 days left of

training. And there is so much stuff you've still got to do. That

is exciting, but it is quite scary. We have to qualify for 2012 that

the team. We have to get qualifying times three things this year and

two times next year. We do not find but if we are in the team until the

9th July, 2012. That is still quite close to the beginning of the

season. To get qualifying times twice and that a matter of time is

quite a lot of pressure, but it should still be OK. Does it seem

like another distant event that you are not too bothered about? No, it

is too close! It focuses you lot more because you have got something

to aim for, now. It is exciting, but I need to get there first.

Casting our minds back to the first Paralympics, the response today is

up there, with the Olympics, with the achievements of Jess Innes. At

last, equality has been achieved with disabled athletes and able

atlas. You think we're there yet? It will take a few years before we

have seen on the same level as elite athletes like Jessica Ennis.

Because we train just as hard, but it is just as there, and I take

part in parallel events were they when able-bodied events along with

disabled events and it makes people realise that we are just as good as

them, and it is getting there, slowly but surely. You spire was a

people. People are taking notice. Thank you very much. -- You inspire

a lot of people. Now remember on last night's Look North we showed

you all that camping gear left behind after the Leeds Festival?

Well, we've got rid of it. Not us personally, but after we told you

about the sale that was taking place this morning, it was sold out

in an hour. Here's Danny Carpenter. We saw Paul Hudson queuing at about

9 o'clock in the morning! Abandoned, unwanted, unloved. But that was

yesterday. Today these only Pents are back in demand. Everybody loves

a bargain. And will give you some mats, some sleeping bags, it is

�100 for a bag... And that really is a bargain, which is why there

are hundreds of people queuing, even if it meant getting your and

stutter. When this warehouse opened it had the contents of to 7.5 tonne

trucks in it. Less than fortified minutes later, it was nearly all

gone. -- 45 minutes. A smaller person might have got one over.

They were here from about 9 o'clock and almost broke the door down!

have volunteered to help clean up next year. I cannot believe the

stuff that they have left, but it is fantastic. High will clean it

and then I will share it with my friends, definitely. Not only is it

a good deal for all these people, it is a good deal for the charity.

The money raised helps projects worldwide that work with young

people, which is kind of appropriate, when you consider who

left all this stuff in the first place. I am glad about that. Lots

of money raised. I think that is really important. People are

benefiting from that. I am happy to say that he is back. Did you

forget? What do you think this summer has been like in Yorkshire?

The statistics are in. I think it has been average, slightly older,

and August has been wetter. They tell us the opposite. I have been

surprised because many people have said to me that it has been a

rubbish summer, but it has been a typical you're just Armagh. I

thought that was quite interesting. -- it has been a typical Yorkshire

Summer. This picture took my breath away. It is beautiful. The Heather

looking stunning. That was at the weekend. You can read those

We have a similar weather picture to the one at I showed last night.

Friday is looking brighter and warmer. One or two glimmers of

brightness, in leads an to the east, but it is a cloudy into the day.

Overnight, a few breaks and that cloud. Just a very small chance of

catching a shower. Temperatures down to eight Celsius. The sun

rises in the morning at 6:15am. Those are the times of high water.

Tomorrow, just a small chance of a shower. Variable amounts of cloud,

but if you are lucky you might catch a little bit of sunshine. But

these will be a light south easterly. Feeling fairly pleasant.

Temperatures on the coast around 16 Celsius. Inland, highs of around 18

Celsius. And Friday should be brighter and warmer. Do you have

complaints? Stock -- you should say, stop picking on me. Thank you for

the e-mails about that story about Caesareans. Janet has written in to

say that the match should be carried out on medical grounds