Kent weekly round-up: 13 April - 19 April 2024
The story about a new programme of flying lessons for people with disabilities proved a popular read this week.
A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Kent and BBC South East Today.
We have picked five stories from the past week in case you missed them.
Paramedic avoids jail over colleague's death
A paramedic who pleaded guilty to causing the death of his colleague in a crash has avoided jail.
Alice Clark, 21, died when the ambulance they were travelling in crashed into a cement lorry on the A21 near Tonbridge, Kent, on 5 January 2022.
In January, Edward Riding, 45, of Kemps Farm Road, Crowborough, admitted causing her death by careless and inconsiderate driving.
Riding was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday.
Water company aims to tackle Asian hornet influx
A pilot scheme has been launched by a water company in an attempt to tackle an influx of Asian hornets in south-east England.
In 2023, reports of the non-native species were made in areas including Eastbourne, Hastings, Newhaven and Rye in East Sussex, as well as Oxted in Surrey and Folkestone in Kent.
Southern Water has now installed traps at nine wastewater treatment sites across Kent and East Sussex to help stop their spread.
Matthew Wagstaff, the firm’s environmental advisor, said the insects were a "menace to our native species".
Anger at great-grandmother's hospital care
The family of a great-grandmother whose lower leg was amputated after she allegedly spent four days in a hospital corridor described the care she received as "disgusting".
Geraldine Newing, 78, was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital after a blister appeared on her foot.
She ended up having her lower leg amputated, having developed "aggressive sepsis".
A hospital spokesperson said it had apologised to Mrs Newing and is investigating the family's concerns.
Cancer survivor to run London Marathon
A cancer survivor from Kent is to run the London Marathon to raise money for the charity that helped support him through his treatment.
Jack Brown, from Maidstone, was aged 16 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2020.
After three months of chemotherapy and two operations, he was given the all clear and began running to regain fitness, despite a warning from doctors that he may never be able to properly compete in sport again.
“It just shows you can do anything that you set your mind to,” he said.
Rare collection of Barbie dolls sells for £2,320
A private collection of rare Barbie dolls has fetched £2,320 at an auction in Kent.
The four figures were offered at Canterbury Auction Galleries on Saturday alongside collectables such as Pokémon cards and a carry case of Happy Meal toys.
A Marie Antoinette doll fetched the highest price among the Barbie collection, at £640.
In total, the entire lot of rare toys and paintings sold for more than double its expected hammer price, at £12,280.
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