Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

A Thame man reported missing early this morning, has been found safe this afternoon by the Metropolitan Police.

James Holt, 33, had last been seen in Orchard Road, Thame at around 7.30am this morning (09/01).

OXFORDSHIRE County Council Fire and Rescue Service were called to a chimney fire in Tetsworth near Thame earlier today(06/01), to deal with a chimney fire.

Fire crews from both Thame and Watlington Fire Stations attended the scene at around 10.30am, to find flames coming out of the top of the chimney stack, and immediately set to using a rodding system to apply water and extinguish the fire.

Fire crews then scaled the roof of the property to remove the chimney stack that had become unstable due to the heat of the fire.

Incident Commander, Station Manager Paul Webster said: “Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service recommends regular sweeping of chimneys to minimise the chances of a fire occurring; as the cold weather begins to set in now is the perfect time to have your chimney swept.

“Remember to have your chimney swept at least once a year, ideally before you light your first log or coal fire. Don’t let the sparks fly, make sure embers are under control, put out properly before you go out or to bed and use a British Standard fire guard to prevent sparks escaping.

“Store firewood away from fire places or stoves as there is a risk of accidental ignition via radiated heat, particularly over a period of time.”

THE Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery has thanked all those who stepped out in the mud and the rain to join her in a fund-raising New Year’s Day walk on Monday.

The New Year’s Day walk has proved very popular with Thame Mayors in the past few years and this year’s began at St Mary’s Church, Thame, where 36 people, including members of the Thame and Wheatley Ramblers, Thame Rotary, Thame Inner Wheel, Thame Lions, Town Councillors and local families and friends, met to shake of the Christmas cobwebs and take up the four-mile challenge to the county boundary and back.

“Despite the weather, ” said Linda, “the atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and the weather ignored! A total of £165 was raised for my two chosen charities, the Red Kite Children’s Centre and Thame Youth Projects and the walkers shared hot soup, tea and coffee afterwards at Racquets Fitness Centre at the end of the event.

“The participants expressed keenness for the Boundary Walk to become an annual event.

“I’d like to thank all those who participated in the event and made it so enjoyable.”

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information after a car was stolen from a car park in Thame.

The theft occurred around 3.40pm from the Travelodge car park yesterday (29/12). The vehicle stolen was a Melbourne red BMW M3 registration plate AX08FWB with a V8 engine, 4 litre, carbon black roof, grey alloys, small carbon spoiler and four exhausts.

Police have described the suspected offender as an Asian man with a bald head and a slight black beard, wearing a grey coat and black trousers. He is 5ft 6″ with very yellow teeth and a slight Birmingham accent.

There was also a suspicious Asian man in his twenties wearing sunglasses driving a gun metal coloured BMW 3 series coupe, parked nearby at the service area.

Investigating officer PC Ali Shahed, based at Thame police station, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who has seen a car in recent days resembling the one in the image as this is similar to the vehicle that was stolen.

“We are also urging anyone to come forward with information about the parked car nearby that may have been used to drop off the offender at the scene.

“Please contact us on the non-emergency number 101.”

If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers (opens new window) anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

THE sixteen passengers and the coach driver of the Oxford Bus Company vehicle, have been taken to hospital after it overturned in thick fog, and slid down an embankment as the bus left the M40 slip road at Junction seven near Thame.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue, described the scene they were met with in the early hours of this morning, December 30: “On arrival the initial fire crews were met with an unstable coach that had overturned and was half way down a bank, and were quickly deployed to assist Highways Officers in walking wounded casualties from the vehicle to safety.

“Trauma trained firefighters treated the injured before handing over to South Central Ambulance staff on scene.

“Once the coach was stabilised and all walking wounded were safely assisted, fire crews thoroughly searched the vehicle and surrounding area for any passengers that may have been ejected. Fire crews worked in partnership with Thames valley Police Officers and specialist Hazardous Area Response Teams from South Central Ambulance Service and employed thermal imaging cameras, image intensifying lens’s, remote cameras and audible searches to try to locate any missing persons.”

Those injured suffered cuts, bruises and broken bones and the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) declared it a ‘major incident’ due to the number of people hurt.

Incident Commander, Group Manager Kerry Blair, added: “It was very cold and foggy at the time of the incident and emergency service staff assisted by the Highways Agency worked extremely hard to quickly and safely rescue all casualties and ensure they were transported to hospital without delay. It is testament to our continued multi-agency training that this incident was managed in such a professional manner despite the dangerous and very cold conditions. I urge all drivers to pay particular attention when the roads are cold and foggy and ensure they moderate their speed and leave a safe gap between themselves and other road users.”

M40 northbound exit slip road at junction J7 (Thame) is still closed due to the recovery operation and is not expected to re-open before 4pm.