Matt Jackson

A body was found inside a black car discovered in undergrowth at the bottom of an embankment on the A172 near Staddlebridge, North Yorkshire. Police believe the deceased is Tracey Smith, who had been missing since July 24 after leaving her home near Stokesley in a black Fiat Panda. Formal identification was still pending, and an investigation was launched to determine how the vehicle left the road. The road was closed while forensic examinations and vehicle recovery took place.

A helicopter operated by Bellavia Aviation Services crashed and caught fire near residential properties on the Greek island of Sifnos shortly before landing at the island’s heliport on August 17, killing all three people aboard. Local reports said two victims were a British couple reportedly honeymooning on the island, while the third was an experienced pilot and married father of three with a military background. Emergency services recovered three bodies after extinguishing the blaze.

The Perseid meteor shower is expected to be visible across the UK after a solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, with the best viewing period between midnight and 5:30am on Thursday. The shower will peak overnight from 12 to 13 August and remain active until 24 August. Clear skies are forecast across much of Britain, and observers are advised to move away from artificial light, while specialist eclipse glasses are essential for safely viewing the eclipse.

Eleven-year-old Faith Curran was found dead in the Gore Water near Shanks Bridge in Gorebridge, Midlothian, on August 6, 2026, after relatives reported her missing. Police Scotland said she was pronounced dead at the scene and that the death remains unexplained. Her family described her as happy, adventurous and outgoing, while local residents and councillor Ellen Scott paid tribute. Investigations are continuing, with a report to be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Lisa Slater is remembering her 18-year-old son Nathan, who died by suicide in November 2024, saying his death came as a total shock because the family had not known he was struggling with his mental health. She describes his musical interests, plans for the future and ambitions to take part in a charity boxing match in memory of his late father. Lisa says the loss has brought the family closer and prompted them to make the most of life, while she preserves Nathan's memory through trips and events they had planned together. Ahead of Creamfields 2026, she is urging men to speak openly about mental-health difficulties and calling for improved mental-health provision in Wallasey.

A woman suffered a medical emergency on Caldey Island near Tenby on July 31, 2026. Two Tenby RNLI lifeboats, coastguard rescuers, a Welsh Ambulance Service paramedic and a coastguard helicopter responded. The woman was treated on the island, flown to a hospital in Cardiff, and the emergency personnel were later returned to Tenby.

Wheelchair user Jenni Pettican says her wedding at Newland Hall near Chelmsford was disrupted when venue staff failed to return a promised ramp to the altar, leaving relatives and guests to position it moments before the ceremony. She says earlier accessibility concerns, including proposed restrictions on a step-free route and an alleged request for a higher deposit, further undermined her confidence in the venue. After she complained and shared a video, she felt the venue failed to accept responsibility. Newland Hall, which changed ownership on 1 June 2026, apologized for the distress and said it is reviewing procedures, arranging an accessibility assessment, and introducing disability-awareness and customer-service training.

A search is underway in Grenada for American citizen Elizabeth Waddell, 44, who disappeared after apparently going swimming from accommodation overlooking Grand Anse in St George. Her husband, Cailen Waddell, and their daughter travelled to Grenada to assist, while the Royal Grenada Police Force is coordinating with fishermen, boat operators and coastal residents. Authorities have received a missing-person report, but her whereabouts remain unknown.

Two women, Demi Oliver and Kelly Rees, violently attacked Warren Harper in a Milford Haven home after a night of drinking, chasing him through the property and slashing him with knives. Harper suffered serious wounds to his wrist and arm before escaping and receiving hospital treatment. Both women pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court, with Oliver receiving 17 months in prison and Rees an additional 27 months to her existing sentence.