Train death woman 'walked past boom gates'

Police say a woman killed by an express train in Brisbane walked past boom gates and into its path. Source: AAP

A WOMAN killed by an express train had walked around boom gates and into its path, Queensland police say. It is believed that the woman was running late for a different train that had stopped at Cannon Hill station, in Brisbane's east, and didn't see the express service coming when she walked on to the track.

Inspector Joe Jaramazovic says investigations indicate that the woman walked around the traffic barriers in Barrack Road, near the station, after she unsuccessfully tried to push open a pedestrian gate just before 7am (AEST) on Friday.

A number of witnesses saw her walk on to the track while the boom gates were down and red lights flashing, he said.

The express train is believed to have been travelling in excess of 50km/h when it hit her.

Police believe that the woman is a 31-year-old Asian in Australia on a working visa.

They are working with consulate officials to confirm her identity.

Insp Jaramazovic says the incident is another tragic reminder of the dangers of level crossings.

He says it's not uncommon for a person stressing about missing a train to forget to look left and right before crossing on to the tracks.

"It's unfortunate we have a lot of these cases and far too many close calls," he said.

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

NT man charged with attempted murder

NORTHERN Territory police say a man who allegedly tried to kill a woman on New Year's Eve had a domestic violence order out against him.

Serious Crime Squad detectives on Friday charged a 40-year-old man with the attempted murder of a 35-year-old woman in a suburb on Darwin's fringes.

The woman was allegedly assaulted at an Acacia Hills home between 7pm (CST) on Tuesday and 8am the next day.

"The woman was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital on Wednesday morning and has since been released," Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Day said on Friday.

The man was arrested on Thursday and has been charged with deprivation of liberty, attempted murder, aggravated assault and engaging in conduct that contravenes a domestic violence order.

He has been remanded to appear in Darwin Magistrates Court on Monday.

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

Funeral of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs

The funeral of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs will take place in north London on Friday. Source: AAP

THE funeral of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, who died last month aged 84, will take place in London on Friday.

Biggs gained notoriety for spending 36 years on the run after escaping prison.

The robber had been cared for at Carlton Court Care Home in East Barnet, north London, after suffering several strokes in recent years. He was last seen in public last March at the funeral of fellow train robber Bruce Reynolds.

Biggs was released from prison in 2009 on compassionate grounds due to ill health, despite being re-arrested in 2001 after evading the authorities since his first escape from Wandsworth Prison in 1965.

At the time of his escape, Biggs had served just 15 months of the 30-year sentence he was handed for his part in the robbery of a Royal Mail freight train between London and Glasgow on August 8, 1963.

Speaking last year, he said he was proud to have been part of the gang behind the robbery, in which 15 men escaped with a record haul of Stg2.6 million ($A4.8 million) - the equivalent of about Stg46 million today.

For many, the glamour of the crime was overshadowed by the brutal attack on the train's driver, however. Jack Mills, who was coshed, reportedly by Biggs, never fully recovered from the ordeal and died a few years later.

Biggs's funeral will be held at Golders Green Crematorium, north London.

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woodside could benefit from Shell sale

Woodside Petroleum could benefit from a much anticipated exit by major shareholder Shell. Source: AAP

WOODSIDE Petroleum shares could receive a lift if oil and gas giant Shell offloads its stake in the company for almost $8 billion.

Royal Dutch Shell, a joint venture partner in Woodside's Browse project in Western Australia, has previously indicated it will begin an asset sales program under the stewardship of its new chief executive Ben van Beurden.

JP Morgan analysts in Europe predict Shell could reap $US6.95 ($A7.82) billion by selling its 23.1 per cent interest in Woodside.

They say it is feasible that Shell could embark on an overall divestment program bringing in between $US25 to $US30 billion during 2014/15.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Andy Williams said any sale would most likely be done in tranches, but it was unclear when it might occur.

"Shell has indicated previously that they're not a long term holder so I think it probably overhangs the share price from an investor's point of view," Mr Williams said.

"Reducing it to below 10 per cent or divesting it in its entirety is probably beneficial for Woodside in terms of the market investment opportunity."

Some institutions have been cautious about investing in Woodside, fearing a Shell selldown could lead to a discount in the company's share price.

Shell has progressively reduced its stake in Woodside since its $10 billion takeover bid for the company was rejected by Treasurer Peter Costello on national interest grounds in 2001.

Shell's recent underperformance has also fuelled speculation about imminent assets sales.

Still, analysts say a move by Shell to exit the Woodside share register would be unlikely to affect the Perth-based company's growth ambitions in WA, or further afield in Israel.

Shell has recently been working on a floating LNG (FLNG) option with Woodside for the Browse offshore gas project.

But Mr Williams says Woodside's FLNG ambitions and an exit by Shell are separate issues.

"They'll look at their direct project investments on a stand alone basis," he said.

It comes a day after Woodside said it will push ahead with plans to jointly sell gas from its proposed Browse project despite a Japanese partner terminating a purchase 1.5 million tonne liquefied natural gas deal.

Woodside and its joint venture partners recently decided to pursue a floating LNG option for Browse and will make a final investment in the third quarter of 2015.

Shares in Woodside dropped 43 cents, or 1.1 per cent, to $38.13 on Friday.

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alleged king hit attacker refused bail

A SYDNEY teenager is likely to be left with brain damage after allegedly being punched to the ground on New Year's Eve by a man claiming to be a mixed martial artist, a court has heard.

Daniel Christie, 18, is in a critical condition in St Vincent's Hospital after he was punched in the face in Kings Cross during New Year's Eve celebrations.

The court heard Mr Christie will likely suffer from a considerable brain injury after being punched by his alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, while shielding two other alleged victims.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Lisa McEvoy said McNeil, who has a history of violence, was celebrating in the city from 9am on Tuesday and had drunk around eight beers and one glass of wine.

"At the end of his time in town, there's a man on the floor with a fractured skull and suspected brain injury and other people with cut lips," she said.

Sgt McEvoy said the police facts in the case were "horrific".

"This was completely unprovoked," she said.

According to facts tendered in court, McNeil had just left the Punchbowl bar in Kings Cross with his girlfriend when he got into a verbal altercation with two young men and an unidentified boy.

After allegedly telling them he was a mixed martial arts fighter, McNeil struck the boy before punching both of his friends, causing them to fall to the ground, the facts said.

As the boy ran one way, the two men ran down the street and attempted to hide behind Mr Christie, who was then allegedly targeted by McNeil.

"The victim has fallen backward and struck his head on the pavement, causing immediate life-threatening injuries," the facts said.

When Daniel Christie's brother Peter tried to intervene, McNeil then turned on him, allegedly punching him and splitting his lip.

McNeil, 25, faced Parramatta Bail Court via videolink on Wednesday where he cried as he was refused bail.

He has been charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm to Daniel Christie, one count of assaulting Peter Christie, and two counts of common assault.

Wearing a forensic suit, he said little during his court appearance on Wednesday.

McNeil has several convictions for violence and dishonesty, the court heard.

The court heard McNeil told police he was acting to protect his girlfriend.

His lawyer said the young men tried to sell him drugs.

McNeil was "very sad" when he heard about Mr Christie's life-threatening injuries, the court heard.

Registrar Chris Steptoe refused bail, noting the "current climate" of unprovoked assaults in Sydney.

The alleged assaults occurred on the same street on the late-night strip where teenage king hit victim Thomas Kelly was killed in 2012.

"Mr McNeil does not live in a box," Sgt McEvoy said.

"He is aware of the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a young man, not to mention the few other young men who ended up in hospital (in similar circumstances)."

McNeil will face court again on Monday.

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

Violence mars Australian NYE celebrations

New Year celebrations around Australia have been marred by deaths and violence among revellers. Source: AAP

ONE man died and two others are in critical condition after violence marred New Year's Eve celebrations in Western Australia, NSW and South Australia.

While millions of people rang in 2014 without incident, there were ugly scenes in Victoria, where revellers clashed with police at an out-of-control Melbourne party.

In the most serious incident in the country, a man died after a fight at a beach party on tiny Wedge Island off the West Australian coast.

Police say the man died after being assaulted just before 1.30am on the 400-metre-long island, 160 kilometres north of Perth.

Two other people were injured, with one flown by rescue helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital.

In the state's southwest, a woman died after a suspected drug overdose, WA police said.

In Sydney, an estimated two million people lined Sydney Harbour to view the 12-minute midnight fireworks display, with pyrotechnic displays also going off at 9pm and 10.30pm.

But in nearby Kings Cross, 18-year-old Daniel Christie was left in critical condition after being hit in an allegedly unprovoked attack about 9pm.

He is fighting for life at St Vincent's Hospital.

His alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, 25, was refused bail on Wednesday, with a Sydney court told Mr Christie was shielding others when he was struck.

In Adelaide, a 63-year-old man was left in critical condition after being stabbed several times.

Police charged a 55-year-old woman with attempted murder over the stabbing.

More than 100 people were arrested in Adelaide suburbs, authorities said.

More than 170 were arrested in NSW during festivities, charged with offences including assault and robbery. Ninety-seven people were charged last New Year's Eve.

NSW Ambulance Deputy Commissioner Mick Willis said more than 1000 patients were treated in the metropolitan region overnight.

"Overall the crowd was very good ... but sadly, again, through the use of alcohol and drugs we saw a number of violent clashes," he told reporters.

On the water, more than 100 New Year's Eve revellers had to be rescued from boats across Sydney, with three people taken to hospital.

Further south, at least two police officers were assaulted at a New Year's Eve party in Melbourne.

About 15,000 people attended the monster bash at Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy that forced authorities to set up a triage facility to treat about 20 revellers.

Twenty-three people were arrested in Melbourne's city centre, while at least 160 people were treated by ambulance officers in the city surrounds.

In Queensland, more than 80,000 people packed Brisbane's inner city about midnight and 44 people were arrested, down from 62 last New Year's Eve.

The Gold Coast recorded less crime, with 92 arrests compared with 121 during the previous celebrations.

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man, 20, killed at WA New Year beach party

A 20-year-old man from Perth was killed in a brawl at a New Year's Eve party on a remote WA island. Source: AAP

A MURDER investigation is under way after a 20-year-old man died following a fight at a New Year's Eve beach party in Western Australia.

Police say the man from Kelmscott, in Perth's southeast, died after being assaulted on the remote Wedge Island, 160 kilometres north of Perth, shortly before 1.30am (WST) on Wednesday.

A man and a woman, both 25, were injured in the brawl.

The man was flown by rescue helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital with a serious arm injury, while the woman was taken by ambulance to the Joondalup Health Campus in Perth's north.

A police spokeswoman would not confirm reports the dead man was attacked with a machete.

She said reports that the fight involved hundreds of people were incorrect.

Wedge Island is 400 metres long and lies just off the coast.

WA's Major Crime Squad is investigating the man's death.

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

GP fee would be a mistake: Greens

The Green says the government can reduce health expenditure by rectifying "piecemeal" reform. Source: AAP

THE government can reduce health expenditure by rectifying "piecemeal" reform and investing in treating more people in the community, the Greens say.

The party was responding to a proposal received by the National Commission of Audit for a co-payment scheme for GP consultations.

Acting Greens leader Richard Di Natale, who will chair a senate committee established to report on the commission of audit, said for the government to "balance the books" on the back of the health care of ordinary Australians would be a "big mistake".

"Of course there are some efficiencies to be gained in health care but putting a barrier in front of people to access a doctor is not the way to achieve it," Senator Di Natale said on Wednesday.

Senator Di Natale said instead of a co-charge to see a doctor, the commission of audit should look at the health system more broadly.

"Why not look at those areas in health care we might be funding that are not being funded on the basis of good evidence," he said.

"We treat people in hospitals, often the worst places for somebody who's sick who doesn't need to be there, when we could be treating them in the community.

"We could be investing in the greater use of antibiotics, for example, in the community; greater supports for people in the community so that they're not in hospitals being exposed to the risk of infection."

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

Measles linked to Sydney dance event

Dancers who attended a recent Sydney competition have been told to look out for measles symptoms. Source: AAP

DANCERS who participated in a Sydney competition recently have been warned to be on the lookout for measles symptoms.

NSW Health issued a health alert after being made aware of three measles cases in people who probably contracted the infection at the World Supremacy Battleground hip hop competition.

The competition was held at Sydney Olympic Park on December 7 and 8.

The first case came to NSW Health's attention on December 27, with a competitor from Adelaide coming down with measles.

On Monday night, further cases were reported by a New Zealand patient and a Sydney resident.

NSW Health communicable diseases director Dr Vicky Sheppeard advised anyone who attended the dance event to be alert for measles symptoms.

"Measles is highly infectious and is spread through coughing and sneezing," Dr Sheppeard said in a statement.

"Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes which usually last for several days before a red, blotchy rash appears."

The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms can be up to 18 days.

NSW Health believes that there may be other cases in the community now or secondary cases could be developing.

Anyone with measles symptoms is advised to contact their local public health unit or phone ahead to a GP to ensure that the waiting area is not shared with others.

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More

Qld police use Eve for G20 practice

Police in Brisbane will use the New Year's Eve celebration to prepare for November's G20 summit. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND police say they will use New Year's Eve to prepare for when Brisbane hosts the G20 in 2014.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating says up to 2700 officers will be on duty statewide on Tuesday night.

He says more than 200,000 people are expected to welcome in 2014 in the centre of Brisbane alone, plus tens of thousands more in other cities and towns.

Around 80,000 of those are expected in the South Bank cultural quarter, which will host the world leaders' summit in November.

"We can build on the experiences we have had for many years with these types of events in the city," Mr Keating told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's a good lesson for any event in the future in the South Bank area and that includes the G20."

Mr Keating said the large police contingent will be keeping a close eye on everything from anti-social behaviour to drink driving.

Alcohol bans are in place in areas including the South Bank.

Up to 600 officers will be on duty in Brisbane and a similar number on the Gold Coast.

"I've never met anybody who enjoyed waking up in the watchhouse on New Year's Day - it's not a really nice way to start your new year," Mr Keating said.

"For that matter you don't want to end up in a hospital waiting room or an emergency centre."

17.01 | 0 komentar | Read More