IT’S that time of year when theme parks go from shouts of joy to screams of terror – and none more so than Universal Studios, where its Halloween Horror Nights return for their 34th year.
I am a big Universal Studios fan — having been to Orlando, Florida three times this year alone, and racked up 12 visits in my lifetime.
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No amount of preparation will have you ready for what Universal has in store for you
But this is the first time I’ve felt brave enough to try the spooky events that take over the parks from the end of August until November 2.
To up the ante, I decide to swap the Sunshine State for Los Angeles and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Here, in the daytime, you’ve got much-loved characters such as Shaggy and Scooby-Doo, and Glinda from Wicked roaming the park.
But as the sun sets and evening descends, to mark the reopening of the park for Halloween Horror Nights, these cute characters vanish.
And in their place come killer clowns such as Art from the film Terrifier, and towering crows who plays tricks on innocent attendees.
The overall experience involves eight haunted houses, four scare zones, two live shows and one terror tram.
My one piece of advice? No amount of preparation will have you ready for what Universal has in store for you.
The creative teams excel at putting you front and centre of some of the biggest movies and shows, including Terrifier, Five Nights At Freddy’s, Fallout, Friday The 13th, WWE: The Wyatt Sicks, Poltergeist — and their own creations, Monstruos 3: The Ghosts Of Latin America, and Scarecrow with music by Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash.
The Poltergeist house returns as a fan favourite, which first appeared in 2018.
Only this time, as you walk through a room that resembles the inside of a brain, your senses become overwhelmed by a strong musky smell.
The haunted houses are packed with more jump scares than ever before and, despite having become slightly desensitised to the frights, I don’t think it’s possible to ever become accustomed to a demonic scarecrow running at you.
Just when I thought it was safe, numerous versions of serial killer Jason Voorhees (from Friday The 13th) leapt out to grab me as I headed for the safety of the exit.
It might not sound like fun, but trust me when I say the laughs come later as you recall your hilarious reactions and those of your pals.
When you’re not being tortured in the haunted houses, you can venture through various scare zones located around the park.
My best tip for those who are most fearful is to act confident, as the actors prey on the weak. If you clock them coming towards you, they will most likely choose another target.
The haunted houses are packed with more jump scares than ever beforeCredit: Supplied
For Horror Nights, The Studio Tour has been overtaken by the Terror Tram, which transports guests to the middle of the sound stages where they’ll be faced with the villains of Blumhouse movies including The Exorcist, The Purge, Happy Death Day, M3GAN and more.
This was a highlight of the event for me, as I felt all-consumed by the smoke, lights, music and actors jumping out from behind hidden doors. After all that horror, you’ll have deserved a well-earned break.
There are plenty of themed drinks and food options to calm your nerves, whether it’s a Jason mask s’more, Art sunflower cookie sunglasses, or Fallout’s RadAway non-alcoholic concoction that’s served in a blood bag.
If the scares become too much, there’s plenty else to keep visitors busy in LA at this time of year.
Take a hike with Bikes and Hikes up to the Hollywood sign and hear the tales of the area while you climb.
Or you can visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame to see landmarks such as the Chinese Theatre, and stop for a spot of lunch or dinner at the Shirley Brasserie situated inside the Roosevelt Hotel.
Just down the road from here is the Hollywood Museum, which is filled with thousands of costumes, props and sets from the golden era of film.
If you want to see some of the movie magic, then take a trip to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood.
This is a brilliant journey around popular TV show and film sets, from Friends to Gilmore Girls, and you can get close to costumes and props from the likes of Harry Potter and Batman.
Keep your ears tuned in wherever you go though. If you listen hard you may still hear the distant screams from Universal Studios.
GO: Universal Studios
GETTING THERE: Norse Atlantic flies from Gatwick to Los Angeles from around £390 return. See flynorse.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Sheraton Universal Hotel cost from £134 per night. See marriott.com.
TICKETS: Buy a one-day Universal Studios Hollywood ticket and get a second day free.
Prices start from £82 per adult and £78 per child based on autumn/winter 2025 arrivals. The second day can be used any time within a week.
Tickets to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood cost from £62pp with one- night admission. See attractiontickets.com.
The UK is full of beautiful walks, but none of them are quite as terrifying as this one. It’s a narrow path hewn into the side of a cliff, and it’s known as Giddy Edge.
The views are stunning(Image: Getty)
If you fancy yourself as something of a thrill-seeker, then one of the most heart-stopping adventures can be discovered right here in the UK. It’s not bungee jumping or skydiving – this is a simple stroll with a spine-chilling twist.
It’s called Giddy Edge, but you’d be wise not to feel dizzy whilst traversing it, as it’s an extremely, extremely long way down.
One man tackled this frightening route and documented the entire experience on TikTok, reports the Express.
Phil, renowned for his travel content, shared his journey along Giddy Edge on TikTok and described it as “absolutely terrifying”.
“The camera does not do justice to either the narrowness of the path or the height of the drop”, he explained in his video, via voiceover.
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Phil revealed he had to add voiceover to his footage because it would have taken him far too long to censor all the profanities he was uttering as he navigated the cliff’s edge.
“It’s bringing me no joy at all; in fact, it’s bringing me genuine terror. I don’t like it.”
The route sits directly on the brink of a 300-foot vertical plunge down to the town beneath, and the most perilous section features a metal handrail fixed into the cliff so you can grip onto it as you inch your way across the most terrifying part of the trek.
After you’ve conquered this stomach-churning elevated point, the remainder of the trail remains just as lofty.
There’s no barrier separating you from the precipice, but there are several benches where you can perch and recover your composure. Giddy Path also operates a one-way system to prevent gridlock on the perilously narrow route.
However, if you’d rather not crawl along Britain’s most spine-chilling pathway, alternative routes exist – though they’re equally lofty.
Despite the path being absolutely terrifying, the panoramic views across Matlock Bath are genuinely stunning – just ensure you’re careful if you fancy a peek.
The route should be steered clear of during any wet or blustery conditions to prevent serious harm or fatality.
Phil remarked: “For me, it’s not about how lethal Giddy Edge is, and it is lethal. Do not go and mess around up there.
“It’s about how accessible it is – yes, there are lethal paths in Wales and the Lake District, but you have to put some work in, you have to walk a few miles to risk your mortality for them.”
THIS is the terrifying moment Ukrainian soldiers on fire dived from their speeding Humvee after a drone strike.
Footage shows brave Ukrainian troops cheating death as they jumped out of the military vehicle after being targeted by the Russian forces.
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Brave Ukrainian troops on fire cheated death after a targeted Russian strike on their Humvee
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The soliders took a leap of faith and dived out of their seats to escape
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They were seen rolling on the floor before dashing away from the burning car
Troops from the Kastus Kalinoŭski Regiment were travelling inside the Humvee when a drone attack struck them.
The soliders, who were engulfed in fire, took a leap of faith and dived out of their seats to escape.
They were seen rolling on the floor before dashing away from the burning car.
Smoke can be seen coming out of the US-made military vehicle as the soldiers look at it from a distance.
The Kastus Kalinoŭski Regiment is a military unit within the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It is made up of Belarusian volunteers fighting agasint the Russians.
THe military unit was formed in March 2022 in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The regiment is named after Kastus Kalinoŭski, a Belarusian national hero and leader of the 1863 January Uprising against the Russian Empire, symbolising resistance to oppression.
They view the Russian forces as a common enemy of both Ukraine and Belarus, and their aim is to defend Kyiv on the frontlines.
The fighting group also aspires to liberate Belarus from its authoritarian regime, which is aligned with Russia.
Heart-stopping first person video shows Ukrainian special forces storm Putin’s border in Humvees and wipe out Russian bunker
Their motto, “Liberation of Belarus through the liberation of Ukraine,” reflects this dual mission.
The unit has become a significant symbol of Belarusian solidarity with Ukraine and resistance to Russian influence, with its members fighting alongside Ukrainian forces to defend their homeland.
Previous footage from the frontlines showed the moment a landmine blew up a Humvee – with Ukrainian soldiers still inside.
The crew miraculously all survived the fireball blast thanks to the tough armour on the US-made military vehicle.
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Troops from the Kastus Kalinoŭski Regiment were travelling inside the Humvee when a drone attack struck them.
The clip shows Ukrainian fighters riding in the truck – with one standing up through a gap in the roof to man the machine gun.
One of the soldiers then starts shouting as gunshots ring out in the background.
Two brave men grab their rifles and sprint out to join the battle.
Smoke can be seen rising in the distance as the armed defenders scour the immediate area for Russian attackers.
Suddenly a blast erupts under under the Humvee – with at least three soldiers still inside.
Flames are seen filling the cab, and debris falls from the roof.
The occupants then rush to escape as the vehicle fills with smoke.
And thanks to the incredible US-made armour, they all survived the terrifying blast.
Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises all offer up some very cool activities and attractions onboard their cruise ships
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Crown’s Edge is available on Royal Caribbean ships(Image: @PhillyPolice/X)
Long gone are the days when entertainment on cruise ships consisted of lounging around by the pool all day before heading over to the buffet.
Yes, those experiences are still absolutely available for those who want them, but nowadays cruises have seriously upped the ante when it comes to their onboard entertainment. Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises have pulled out all of the stops with onboard rollercoasters, go-kart tracks and thrill attractions for guests who are after an adrenaline rush during their holidays.
That’s not even including the epic water parks that often boast high speed slides and fun for the whole family (although make sure you’re aware of a little-known pool rule before getting in, or you could face having to leave the pool area!).
We take a look at some of the ridiculously cool attractions you can find on cruises – check out our top picks below!
1. Crown’s Edge, Royal Caribbean
Usually a stroll around a cruise ship involves a dedicated track, or just wandering through the decks; but Royal Caribbean has added a major thrill factor for those who dare to brave Crown’s Edge. Described as a “part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride”, it’s definitely not one for the faint-hearted as you step onto the walkway that takes you right above the water below! The attraction is available on the cruise line’s newest ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, which also happen to be sharing the title of world’s biggest cruise ship!
If you love a fairground ride, then you’re going to want to check out Robotron onboard MSC Seascape. This terrifying ride involves a giant robotic arm that’s attached with a gondola to seat three guests, and sends them soaring 53 metres above the sea, with 360 degree views of the horizon (just be prepared to be flipped upside down and in all sorts of directions!).
Get ready to show off your competitive side on board Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss, where you can find some of the world’s longest race tracks at sea. Passengers can race their electric karts at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, with highlights including a pit lane, viewing spaces for spectators, and engine sounds through the headrest so you feel like you could be joining the F1 line-up.
Riders who brave the world’s first rollercoaster at sea will not only be treated to epic sea views, but they’ll get to control the speed at which they ride on the motorcycle-style car, with the ability to reach up to 40 miles per hour. The ride is available on ships including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
Thrill attractions don’t always have to be for adults and big kids; on Disney’s Cruise Line, the Aquaduck water ride can be ideal for smaller adrenaline-seekers. Families can get propelled along the water tunnels in a dinghy around the ship, across a four-deck drop.
The cruise line’s newest ships including the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny will feature a similar water ride, although this one is the AquaMouse and features cool features including screens as you join Mickey and Minnie Mouse on their adventures.
Before you get visions of joining Aladdin for a quick-stop flight around the world, this one’s actually a bar! Celebrity’s cantilevered platform is a firm favourite with holidaymakers as you can enjoy a tipple or two while moving up and down the ship. Plus, as it’s on the edge of the ship, you can get unrivalled views of the ocean! You’ll find this very cool feature on Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent.
If you’re not afraid of heights, then this suspended zip line that zooms over the Boardwalk, offering you brilliant views of the ship (if you dare keep your eyes open that is). You’ll typically find this attraction on the cruise line’s Oasis Class ships, including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas.
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STRICTLY Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has revealed that he had terrifying death threats after meeting up with the vice-president of the United States JD Vance.
The American politician reached out to him after seeing his social media posts saying he admired his positive attitude for life.
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Tom Skinner, left, says he received death threats after he posted a snap of himself with US vice-president JD VanceCredit: Instagram
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The Apprentice star has confessed he has cheated on his wife SineadCredit: Instagram
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JD Vance invited Tom to the barbecue of the summer at 18th-century Dean ManorCredit: Getty
And he invited him to the barbecue of the summer at 18th-century Dean Manor near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds.
But afterwards The Apprentice star and market stall holder proudly posted a photo of them together on social media – and received a shocking backlash.
In an exclusive interview he admits: “Since I posted that picture I’ve had loads of death threats. People saying they want me dead, saying I am this political figure that I’m actually not. I actually really ain’t. I couldn’t tell you what’s going on in the world right now.
“Now the left seems to be attacking me every day on social media. The right seems to see me as this figurehead and it’s all been a bit much for me, if I’m honest with you.
“I was getting death threats and people calling me controversial. I was thinking, what have I ever done? What have I ever said that’s controversial? When you actually go through my tweets, apart from saying that knife crime is bad in London, yeah?
“I’m not this political figurehead that people believe that’s got my hand.
“I’ve had loads of death threats over the years, you know.
“I didn’t see it as anything more than a barbecue, if I’m honest with you. But I’ve been turned into this political figure that I’m actually not.”
But the East Londoner does admit he was nervous after accepting the invite along with Cambridge academic James Orr and Tory MP Danny Kruger.
He said: “I was very nervous about it, I didn’t know what to wear. When I arrived he literally was like, ‘Why have you got a suit on?’
Strictly shock as Thomas Skinner STORMS OUT of launch in furious rage
“He was actually a normal bloke. We spoke about English cheese being so much better than American cheese, West Ham United and how they call football ‘soccer’.”
Fry-up fan Thomas was blown away by the food, laid on by the local pub, describing it as “the b******s.”
He said: “There was a pub in the town, and Jay wanted to go to a traditional English pub, but he knew by going to this pub it would obviously have to shut, because I’ve never seen so many security guys in my life… a proper entourage… he didn’t want it to affect the locals.
“So he asked the pub if they would kindly – he paid them a lot of money – bring some of their staff to cook at the place, and they did, they actually left this beautiful pub in the Cotswolds, they’d come round to the garden, and they cooked this fantastic spread, it was steaks, kebabs, halloumi, honestly it was unreal. Everyone was really friendly.”
He didn’t take pictures, he says, because he didn’t want to “disturb his privacy”.
Joking, he adds: “When Trump comes he might invite me to a BBQ too.”
NO REGRETS
Despite the furore online Thomas insists he doesn’t regret posting the picture. He said: “I don’t regret it, I am a normal bloke and it was an amazing opportunity.
“Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do? You’re a normal person. And, I’ve been given this opportunity to sit with the Vice President of the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America. To me that was, “Wow’.
“And I would have gone, whether it was the leader of France, Germany, I think to sit there and learn, and experience that, whether you agree with him politically or not, it wasn’t about that for me, it was literally to say, ‘I’ve sat there and met the Vice President of the United States of America’.”
Sinead has been by his side since they got together nearly a decade ago.
Thomas began working part time as a market trader at 13 after being expelled from school. He found several businesses before starring on The Apprentice in 2019 after Sinead encouraged him to apply.
But he is also known for his motivational videos on social media where he shares his love of kebabs and pints.
It was his conservative political views that led to US Vice President JD Vance actually getting in touch with him.
SPREADS POSITIVITY
He says he loves spreading positivity.
He said: “Even when JD Vance sent me a DM, he was like, ‘Look I love your energy, keep it up, I love seeing the high energy and the positivity you spread’.
“Which is literally all I do, all I do is share videos of me having a roast dinner, and do a morning video to say, ‘Have a good day’, because I know what it’s like to wake up and feel like you can’t do this. I’ve been there, and that’s why I won’t ever give up spreading the positivity.”
Throughout the ups and down in his life Sinead – who he dubs Super sensible Sinéad – has been at his side throughout.
He admits the past few weeks have been tough and he has struggled with the public scrutiny.
He said: “It does affect you. I’ve always put on this brave face. But it’s alright to be vulnerable and be down and be upset. There are times I’ve felt low.”
CLOSE PALS WITH RYLAN CLARK
His close pal Rylan Clark also faced backlash recently over his views on migrant hotels which sparked over 700 Ofcom complaints.
Thomas said: “Rylan has been a friend of mine since I was a teenager. I love him. He’s a family friend, he comes to our family events. I go round to his and I bring him round to ours.
“He’s a top guy. And the thing that I just worry about is nowadays, whether someone’s got a different opinion to you, or you say something that might be slightly incorrect or you don’t agree with, everyone should be allowed to have their opinion, and everyone should be allowed to express it and argue it and talk about it.
“But if your opinion is different to someone else’s, people shouldn’t be able to attack you and ram it down your throat, and I think that’s wrong, if I’m honest with you.
“Poor old Rylan got a bashing, and obviously I know what it feels like, because I’ve had a bashing in the last couple of years.”
What Rylan said was: “How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in? But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?
“I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel like they are. But when they get here, it seems, ‘Welcome, come on in’.”
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Tom says he doesn’t deserve the backlash against himCredit: Twitter/@iamtomskinner
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The TV celebrity is now putting on his dancing shoes for BBC’s hit show Strictly Come DancingCredit: BBC
He later said he was angry at being “put in a box” over his opinions and called for more intelligent debate. Rylan posted on X: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women.
“You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”
Thomas says the pressure that he and other celebrities receive due to fame can be hard to deal with.
And key to helping keep his mental health stable is the group of friends from the market that he still meets every Friday for “a pint”.
He said: “I think that’s so important, they think it’s funny I’m going on Strictly.
“Every Friday, and I’ve done this for years, you know, since I started out, no matter what, me and my group of little pals have a pint on a Friday afternoon.
“Some of us could be skint on our arse, some of us could be flying, we’re all having the same beer, in the same circle, talking the same thing, and we always, we always talk about what’s been a bad week, sad week, a happy week, a good week, a great week, and we all support each other, and I think that’s so important.”
And his biggest fan – his mum couldn’t be prouder.
Both his parents still work and are real “grafters” – which is where he says he gets his work ethic from.
His mum works in a call centre – but until this week hadn’t revealed who her famous son was, because she says they “never asked”.
He said: “She’s one of the people, when your boiler goes, she’ll ring up, my mum’s the one that you abuse on the phone saying, ‘My boilers gone,” she’s got one of the hardest jobs in the world. bless her.
“When she asked for the day off she said her son was on Strictly. They said, ‘What who’s your son? What do you mean?’ She showed them a picture of me.”
Her son is still a market trader with his own stall selling mattresses and pillows. He survives on just five hours sleep a night and even when rehearsing for the BBC show he says he will set up his stall first.
He still loves his work and feels proud to be helping Britain’s High Street.
Thomas said: “I’m going to try and set up at 6am. Markets help the shops, but then the shops are suffering, the high street’s dying.”
One thing that isn’t dying is his fan base.
Thomas confesses that he has been inundated with direct messages from celebrities on social media offering support for the new dance show.
He said: “I’ve had hundreds of messages, footballers, TV stars, all sorts.
“But I don’t think it’s fair to say who, because they’ve said that to me confidentially, and I respect that.
“People like my energy and the positivity I spread, which is literally all I do.”
Thomas has experienced financial highs and lows, and even homelessness.
He said: “I know what it’s like to have a few quid in my pocket, when everything’s going well, and your business is flying, and you’ve got everyone around you.
“But I also know what it’s like to be on your a***, not having anywhere to live, and not knowing how you’re going to pay your next bill. I’ve been at both spectrums.
“It’s taught me to be strong, and taught me to try and help other people, because life can be so hard.”
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Tom says he’s had ‘loads of death threats’ over the yearsCredit: Louis Wood
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Tom first appeared on The Apprentice in 2019 and has gone on to star in on Celebrity MasterChef, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Michael McIntyre’s Big ShowCredit: Getty
THIS is the terrifying moment a petrol station is engulfed in flames after a devastating fireball blast.
Four people died after a gas cylinder is believed to have caught on fire with footage showing a horror inferno as locals ran for their lives.
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A terrifying fireball eruption has killed four people after ripping through a petrol stationCredit: X
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Terrified onlookers were left running for their lives in DagestanCredit: X
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The charred remains of the gas station after it was left decimatedCredit: Telegram
Footage from Dagestan, Russia, shows the gas station up in flames with black clouds of smoke billowing through the air.
As the initial fireball raged on, a second, far more devastating blast erupted as the remaining gas cylinders and pumps all exploded.
Video filmed by a terrified local shows much of the village of Sulevkent in the Khasavyurt district attacked by a bright orange flash as the second blast hits.
The deafening sound of the inferno was met with the sight of debris flying through the air.
read more in major blasts
Residents who had left their homes to watch the initial explosion were quickly sent running for their lives as the second blast rang out.
The apocalyptic scenes were said to have been visible from several kilometers away, locals said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to extinguish multiple fires which continued to burn for some time.
Four people were found and rushed to a nearby hospital with severe burns.
They all tragically died from their injuries.
Officials determined the initial explosion was caused by the depressurisation of a gas cylinder during refuelling operations, according to preliminary reports.
The gas station was left decimated alongside the adjacent service station and food vendors.
Massive explosion kills 27 people including 3 children & leaves 100 injured as fire erupts at petrol station in Russia
The Dagestan prosecutor’s office is now conducting an investigation into the incident.
It comes less than a year after another petrol station explosion killed 13 people and injured 23 just outside the Dagistani capital of Makhachkala.
Two children were among the casualties, authorities confirmed.
Horrifying video showed the enormous explosion – which then hurled a fuel tank 1,000ft towards a high rise block.
Locals claimed the blast was so strong that the ground shook like in an earthquake.
In August 2023, a third massive blast at a gas station in Dagestan killed 35 people and injured 115 more.
The fire started at a car repair shop before engulfing the nearby Nafta 24 filling station – sending it up in flames before triggering a giant explosion.
It took firefighters more than three and a half hours to put out the blaze as it spread to an area of 600 square metres, TASS reports.
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Concerns first rose over the severity of the blast after an initial fireball erupted at a gas cylinder at the stationCredit: X
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Black clouds of smoke billowed through the air as the flames roaredCredit: X
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Locals hugged each other as the flames continued to burn over the village of SulevkentCredit: X
Investors have ridden an incredible recovery from the April 2 “Liberation Day” tariff surprises. Since the April 8 low, the Nasdaq Composite(^IXIC 1.88%) has appreciated an incredible 40%. And of course, that recovery has taken place amid a decade-long bull market in technology growth stocks.
It’s easy to understand why. Society is becoming more digital and automated. The last 10 years have seen the emergence of cloud computing, streaming video, digital advertising, the pandemic-era boom in electronic devices and work-from-home, all topped off by the introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI) marked by the unveiling of ChatGPT in late 2022.
However, after a long tech bull market, technology growth stocks have reached a worrying valuation level relative to other stocks, and today’s relative overvaluation mirrors an infamous period in stock market history.
Echoes of the dot-com era?
In several ways, technology stock performance and valuations are currently mirroring the extremes of the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. Unfortunately, we all know how that period ended, with a terrible “bust” that sent the Nasdaq tumbling three years in a row, eventually culminating in a 78% drawdown from the March 10, 2000, peak.
Technology innovation can be very exciting; however, that excitement often finds itself in the form of high valuations. According to data published on Charlie Bilello’s State of the Markets blog, the technology sector’s recent outperformance has now exceeded that of the height of the dot-com bubble:
The relative outperformance isn’t the only mirror to the dot-com era. Back then, tech stocks also became very large, leading to an outperformance of large stocks relative to small stocks. Similarly, tech stocks are often growth stocks with high multiples, reflecting enthusiasm over their future prospects. This is in contrast to value stocks, which trade at low multiples, usually due to their more modest growth prospects.
As you can see below, the outperformance of large stocks to small stocks, as well as growth stocks to value stocks, is at highs last seen during the dot-com boom.
Given that higher-valued tech stocks now make up a larger portion of the index, the Schiller price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which adjusts for cyclicality in earnings over 10 years, while not quite at the levels of 1999, has crept up to the highest level since 1999, roughly matching the level from 2021:
As we all know, 2022 was also a terrible year for tech stocks. While it didn’t see a multiyear crash akin to the dot-com bust, 2022 saw the Nasdaq decline 33.1% on the year. Of course, at the end of 2022, ChatGPT came out, somewhat saving the tech sector as the AI revolution kicked off.
Counterpoints to the bubble thesis
Thus, when compared to history, tech stocks are at worrying levels. Given the similarities to the 1999 dot-com bubble and the 2021 pandemic bubble, some may think it’s time to panic and sell; however, there are also a few counter-narratives to consider.
The first is that, unlike in 1999, today’s technology giants are mostly truly diversified, cash-rich behemoths that account for a greater and greater percentage of today’s gross domestic product (GDP). While the late 1990s certainly had its leaders — including Microsoft(MSFT 0.56%), the only market leader that is in the same position today as then — they weren’t really anything like today’s tech giants, with robust cloud businesses, global scale, diversified income streams, and tremendous amounts of cash.
While market concentration in the top three weightings tends to occur before market downturns, index weighting concentration appears to be somewhat of a long-term trend now, increasing beyond prior highs in 1999 and 2008 since 2019.
Image source: Charlie Bilello State of the Markets blog.
Thus, it seems a higher weighting of the “Magnificent Seven” stocks could be a feature of today’s economy, rather than an aberration.
While it’s true that some of today’s large companies are overvalued, given their underlying strength and resilience, it’s perhaps not abnormal for them to garner higher-than-normal valuation multiples.
What investors should do now
It’s important to know that while taking note of market levels is important, it is extremely difficult to time market downturns. Famed investor Peter Lynch once said, “Far more money has been lost by investors preparing for corrections, or trying to anticipate corrections, than has been lost in corrections themselves.”
So, one shouldn’t abandon one’s long-term investing plan just because overall market levels may be frothy. That being said, if you need a certain amount of cash in the next one to two years, it may be a good idea to keep that money in cash or Treasury bills until then, rather than the stock market.
Furthermore, if you have a regular, methodical investing plan, stick to it. But if you are consistently adding to your portfolio every month or quarter, you may want to look at small caps, non-tech sectors, and value stocks today, rather than adding to large technology companies.
Passengers travelling from Spain to Italy were screaming in fear as their Wizz Air flight was hit with severe turbulence and was forced to make an emergency landing
13:15, 24 Aug 2025Updated 13:15, 24 Aug 2025
A Wizz Air plane was forced to make an emergency landing after it was hit with severe turbulence(Image: Getty Images)
Passengers on a flight returning from Spain were left screaming in fear as their plane was thrown around in terrifying turbulence, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.
The Wizz Air flight was travelling from Alicante, Spain, to Fiumicino Airport, Rome, this week when it encountered severe turbulence. In a shocking video posted to social media, petrified passengers could be heard shrieking on the Airbus A321 as it battled the bumpy conditions.
The seatbelt signs were on while the majority of the cabin lights were turned off, only adding to the fearful moment for travellers on board. In the video shared on TikTok, the user added the caption, “Attimi di terrore sul volo”, translating to “Moments of terror on the flight.”
A passenger on the Wizz Air flight shared a shocking video on social media of the turbulence(Image: TikTok)
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Passengers in the video can be heard shouting, “Oh God”, and “No, no, no!” while others remained quiet with heavy breaths. Outside through the windows, the plane’s red lights can be seen amid the grey and dark sky.
Italy has faced extreme weather this summer, and Rome was given a severe thunderstorm warning. The bad weather is what impacted the Wizz Air flight, which attempted to land at Fiumicino, the country’s busiest airport.
After several attempts, the pilot aborted the plan and was redirected to Bologna, over 250 miles away, to make a safe landing. The flight from Alicante to Rome typically takes under two hours, but due to delays and severe turbulence, it landed in Bologna at 3:53am – almost three hours after it was due to arrive in Rome.
Wizz Air said: “Wizz Air flight W4 6038 from Alicante to Rome Fiumicino on August 20 was diverted to Bologna Airport after it was unable to land safely due to adverse weather conditions at Rome Fiumicino Airport.
Passengers could be heard screaming on the flight as it was rocked by turbulence(Image: TikTok)
“The aircraft landed safely and without incident in Bologna at 3:57 a.m. local time. Passengers were provided with ground transportation from Bologna to Rome.”
The airline added that passengers who “had independently arranged ground transportation” would be entitled to a refund. Wizz Air also said: “Weather conditions are beyond the airline’s control, and safety remains Wizz Air’s top priority.”
They also added that aborting a landing is a “standard procedure in the event that conditions are not ideal for a safe landing”. The airline thanked the pilots and cabin crew for “ensuring everyone’s safety during the turbulence and for making the right decision to divert the flight to Bologna.”
A small island off the coast of Venice has a terrifying and dark history, so much so that tourists are banned from travelling to the abandoned island where rotting buildings lie empty
The Story Bridge in Brisbane is one of a handful in the world that you can climb – there’s one mistake I was warned not to make and yet instantly did it
Clare braved the terrifying climb
I knew I should have listened the second I did it. “Don’t look down,” my friend advised, having just made the same mistake on our trip to Australia.
But it was too late, I was already gazing through the gaping slats 262ft (80m) down to the fast current of the river below, waves sloshing through the brown water that had me questioning why we’d opted for an activity holiday.
Head slightly spinning, I raised my eyes a little to the cars whizzing across the bridge I was precariously hanging from the top of. All very disconcerting but undeniably an experience of a lifetime. (After all, I’d already survived a kayaking trip through shark-infested waters).
The Story Bridge in the city centre of Brisbane is one of only a few in the world that you’re able to safely climb over the top of. And while it felt precarious at the top I knew deep down I couldn’t possibly fall as I was firmly attached to a steel cable.
I just wish my head had been able to convince my pounding heart of the same. I’d been all bravado beforehand.
Living in London I’m very used to the sight of bridges so at first I didn’t worry too much – it didn’t look that high… When you’re standing at the bottom looking up at the 1,088 steps to the top however, it’s a different kettle of fish. But, after a thorough safety briefing and freshly kitted out in a very, erm, fetching jumpsuit and harness it was time to climb.
The Story Bridge is one of a few you can climb around the world(Image: Getty Images)
Attaching a rock-climbing style carabiner to the cable that runs the entire width of the bridge, my expert guide from the Story Bridge Adventure Climb assured us there was no chance of taking a tumble and plummeting to our deaths so, wobbly-legged, we set off up the stairs.
At first it’s hard not to just stare at the next step but soon the spectacular views begin to creep into your eyeline until after a few minutes you forget to worry and simply look around in awe.
The Brisbane river – known locally as the brown snake due to the colour from the silt at its base – can be seen winding its way through the skyscrapers of the city. And from the gantry at the pinnacle of the bridge our guide pointed out the main sights and recounted the history of the bridge itself.
Built from 1935 and originally known as the Jubilee Bridge in honour of King George V, it opened five years later to a crowd of 37,000 people. Its name was later changed to the Story Bridge in recognition of John Douglas Story who fought for it to be built to provide employment and a sense of community during the Great Depression.
It’s reasonably pricey at £75 for the two-hour tour but it’s one of remarkably few in the world that you can climb. The Sydney Harbour Bridge started the trend in 1998 and as well as the Story Bridge, you can also now climb the Matagarup Bridge in Perth, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan, Auckland Bridge in New Zealand, Porto Bridge in Portugal and the bridge over the New River Gorge in West Virginia, USA (though that one goes under the bridge rather than over it).
As we headed back to more solid ground, there was a general air of elation. We had conquered our fears and done something extraordinary that we’d always remember.
While a walk around the park is all the adventure many of us need, for the brave a trek along Wasdale Screes in the Lake District is sure to get your adrenaline going
One man was left terrified after attempting Britain’s ‘scariest’ walk(Image: Westend61 via Getty)
Many of us will take to the trails at the weekend to fill our lungs with fresh air, get our hearts going and take our minds away from the stresses of everyday life. While a Sunday afternoon stroll may usually resemble a lap around the local park or the route around next door’s field.
However, for one man, his leisurely walk turned out to be an all-around more stressful afternoon as he attempted the UK’s scariest walk.
TikTok reviewer and social media star Phil Carr headed up to the Lake District to attempt the perilous walk up Wasdale Screes, an area of unstable, loose boulders on the bank of Wast Water.
The route appears to be more of climb than a hike, with locals and trekkers alike generally advising against the route due to the seemingly endless places to take a tumble or roll an ankle.
Wasdale Screes takes you along a pretty scary route(Image: Christine Curtin via Getty)
Heading up the sketchy hill, Phil said: “The scariest path in the UK? This is it, and yes, Wasdale Screes is an actual footpath, and it’s terrifying. Everyone said ‘don’t do it’ and I couldn’t find anybody who’d walked across it more than once in their lives.”
While the likes of Giddy Edge in Derbyshire, a path that essentially straddles the side of a cliff face, and The Broomway in Essex, a path that can soon leave you cut off by the ocean, whereas Wasdale poses a whole different challenge – thousands of loose rocks lining a mountainside above your head.
Phil added: “Wasdale Screes is over 1,000 feet of rock slide just above your head. It’s insecure, it’s steep, it can all go at any minute, and the route across it is over a mile.”
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The Lake District route starts seemingly innocently with rolling green hills filled with sheep and even alpacas, that is, until the path splits off up to Wasdale, with the National Trust signpost even labelling the walk as “not recommended”.
Decked out in hiking gear and with a SOS call at the ready, Phil bravely soldiered towards the climb. He added: “Another massive red flag is that there were quite a lot of people in this part of the Lake District, but none of them were going down the path I was going down.”
Locals advised Phil to avoid a dog and to stay low across the screes, with what looks like miles of unsteady rocks looming over you.
The rock slides formed thousands of years ago during the ice age(Image: Christine Curtin via Getty)
Continuing, Phil said: “Normally when you’re walking along a scary path you’re worrying about a drop to one side of you, here you’re worrying about what’s above you, it could all come crashing down on me… they wouldn’t even find me.”
Despite the adrenaline hit and both breathtaking and petrifying views, Phil seemed somewhat scarred by the experience. He added: “It’s not at all rewarding, but it is absolutely terrifying and it is very slow – a mile is a long way when you have to think about every footstep you take.”
Finally summing up his experience and questioning whether he would recommend the path, Phil summarises: “Well, absolutely not, it’s completely pointless, you don’t get any sense of achievement, the view of the mountains is actually better from the other side of the lake.”
Footage shows the heart-stopping moment where a plane full of passengers attempted to land in Madeira only to be shaken by violent winds
The terrifying moment a plane packed with passengers is violently shaken by strong winds as it attempts to land at Madeira Airport has been caught on camera.
The jaw-dropping footage shows the Marabu Airlines A320 shakily approaching the runway and swaying from side to side, before a turbulent landing that appears to cause the aircraft to bounce up and down the runway at Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport in Madeira. It’s not yet been confirmed whether there were any injuries to passengers as a result.
One social media user, commenting on the plane’s approach and landing, said today: “This is crazy. I already have a knot in my lower neck just from watching.”
Another, believed to have been a passenger on the plane, said: “Landing in Madeira had to be one of the worst moments in my life. That airport is as scary as hell. I felt the plane moving non-stop and the landing was so bad, God.”
The terrifying moment was caught on camera(Image: JTP/SOLARPIX.COM)
She continued: “I get it when people say it’s one of the most dangerous airports because IT’S TRUE,” which prompted a local to respond: “Imagine how us living in Madeira must feel when we have to travel. We pray every time so everything goes well.”
Yesterday, a reported 49 flights – 26 arrivals and 23 departures – were cancelled due to the severe weather conditions, causing major disruptions for a second consecutive day and causing chaos for British tourists trying to reach and leave the island. Frustrated holidaymakers took to social media in the early hours of this morning to vent their anger about being left stranded without food or accommodation.
The first flight reported to have been cancelled yesterday was coming from London. A 1.45am flight scheduled to depart for London was also among those cancelled, with Ryanair and easyJet being among the airlines affected.
Local newspapers described it as a “nightmare day” for travellers. Some planes reportedly managed to fly over Madeira for a few minutes before being diverted to other airports including Porto Santo, Lisbon, Faro and even Tenerife.
On social media, some Brits claimed that they were left stranded at the airport and unable to return to the UK, claiming that they were not give food or accommodation, and left in the dark about when the next flights would be available.
Meanwhile one Portuguese passenger told local news that up to 500 people were reportedly forced to sleep at the airport, while another said that no mattresses had been provided for those who were stuck overnight. They added: “No-one helped us or informed us of anything and there was no food available.”
Were you affected by the chaos at Madeira? Email us at [email protected]
The intensity of the Turkey wildfires has grown as the week continues, with more than 50,000 people having to flee their homes from across İzmir and surrounding provinces
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes as ferocious wildfires rage across Turkey.
For the past three days, forest fires whipped up by robust winds have wreaked havoc in İzmir, which sits in the west of the country in an area loved by British tourists. Those flying into the region have captured videos of the sky burning orange above the city of 2.9 million, with great plumes of smoke billowing up off the tinder-box dry countryside.
The intensity of the fires has grown as the week continues, with more than 50,000 people having to flee their homes from across İzmir and surrounding provinces.
In Sakarya, 230 people have had to leave behind two neighborhoods, while seven villages have been deserted by 609 people in Bilecik. İzmir’s Seferihisar district is the worst-impacted. There, 42,300 have had to flee an area that is made up of 80% summer houses, CNN Türk reported.
Helicopter pilots and on-the-ground firefighters are working side-by-side with teams of citizens who are determined to save as much of their land and as many of their homes as possible. They used tractors with water trailers and helicopters carrying water to douse the charred hillsides.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said that 342 forest fires have broken out since Friday.
Mr Yumaklı said on Monday that the blaze was fanned overnight by winds reaching 40-50 km/h in Kuyucak and Doğanbey areas of İzmir. The first fire broke out on Sunday between the districts of Seferihisar and Menderes in İzmir, spreading rapidly due to winds of up to 117 km/h, according to Governor Süleyman Elban.
Residents in the village of Ürkmez were forced to cut trees to create firebreaks and protect their homes.
On Sunday, no flights could land at or take off from Adnan Menderes Airport, which serves the coastal city of İzmir, for several hours. The airport’s departure board showed all flights due to leave on Sunday evening were either suspended or canceled.
Since then, the airport has been running as normal, with the departures and arrivals boards today showing no delays or cancellations.
The area was also hit by wildfires last year, as were many of Turkey’s other coastal areas. It is likely that this will become a more and more regular occurrence in the country, as climate change increases the irregularity of weather patterns and raises temperatures.
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Turkey is not the only European country impacted by blazes this week. Right now, a sweltering ‘heat dome’ is sitting across swathes of Europe including France, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey, with forecasts from European meteorologists warning that more roasting days are on the horizon.
“Extreme heat is no longer a rare event — it has become the new normal,” declared U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres via Twitter from Seville, Spain, where the mercury was projected to soar to a blistering 42 Celsius by Monday afternoon.
Echoing his oft-repeated plea for dramatic measures to curb climate change, Guterres proclaimed: “The planet is getting hotter & more dangerous — no country is immune.”
Dominic Brunt has announced Paddy Kirk will be brutally attacked by a dog in a jaw-dropping Emmerdale storyline. But the aftermath is set to flip his life upside down.
06:00, 24 Jun 2025Updated 06:13, 24 Jun 2025
Dominic Brunt has teased turmoil for his Emmerdale alter ego Paddy Kirk
He’s been playing vet Paddy Kirk for the past 28 years – so it’s no surprise Dominic Brunt knows the Emmerdale rollercoaster better than most.
But in upcoming scenes due on ITV, the village favourite’s world is shaken after he’s attacked by an aggressive dog. “He’s already scared of horses,” Dominic says, “Now he’s got something else to be scared of.”
Everything kicks off when Paddy spots a sheep tangled in a fence. He steps in to help – but a protective dog lunges at him, leaving him badly injured. Paddy is saved from the worst by his father Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) and rushed to hospital.
The intense scenes were carefully choreographed with a highly-trained Alsatian and off-camera, Dominic had nothing but praise for the canine.
“That dog could do anything, he was amazing,” he remembers, “He’s an evil-looking thing. He’d growl and slabber everywhere but you felt really safe because as soon as someone pulled out his favourite food, he’d start wagging his tail. It was a big game to the dog but it was really impressive.”
The attack triggers a huge shift in Paddy. Known for his dislike of hoses, it sends his confidence plummeting even further. “He worries about the fact that he won’t be able to do his job anymore,” Dominic says. “He has no other skills and he’s goning to have to work it out what he’s going to do in the future.”
Paddy has been concerned for his father Bear as his mental health has declined
And it’s not just Paddy struggling. He’s been increasingly worried about his father Bear, whose mental health has been deteriorating. “Paddy’s kicking himself that he hasn’t noticed,” Dominic says, “But the attack makes him see eye to eye with his dad.”
Unfortunately, just as the two start to connect, Bear flees.“Bear leaves the village for a good, long while,” Dominic teases, “But he has a big story coming up. We’ll explain where he’s been.”
Amid the fallout of Paddy’s attack, Emmerdale welcomes a new face: Jaye Griffiths joins the cast as Celia, a no-nonsense farmer who ruffles feathers and tries to strike a deal with Moira Dingle.
Dominic was thrilled to work with her. “She’s just unbelievable,” he says, “I was aware of her from various long-standing shows she’s been in. I did her screen test.
They auditioned lots of people and it was down to the last eight. All the actresses were brilliant but she did something else. It’s one of those scenes where you think, ‘This is something special.’ I can’t wait for people to meet her.”
Paddy’s attack is an introduction to newcomer Celia, played by Jaye Griffiths
With almost three decades of soap under his belt, Dominic has built strong bonds off-screen too. For nine years, he co-hosted a zombie film festival in Leeds with pal Mark Charnock, raising money for the World Animal Protection.
“We don’t do it anymore, I don’t know why,” Dominic says, “There’s only so many zombie films you can show. We have children and we live quite far apart now.”
Distance has never mattered in his friendship with Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle. “We were still friends when Lisa left. We stayed in contact all the time and met up for lunch,” he says.
“She’s a friend for life. When they brought us back together, it was like slipping on an old pair of shoes. We’re very close, we know each other’s thoughts.”
He’s just as warm about his other on-screen wives. “I worked with Zoe Henry for years and we became really close. Then they put me with Lucy Pargeter and we were best friends for seven, or eight years,” Dominic adds. “I was really pleased that, although I wasn’t with them, I was back to my original best friend.”
Despite saving all sorts of animals as Paddy, Dominic sticks to simpler companions at home: three dogs and a handful of cats. “I’m more of a cat person but in recent years, I’ve swayed towards dogs. They get you out – we live in the middle of nowhere, and I enjoy taking walks,” he says.
Dominic Brunt has dubbed Emmerdale wife and co-star Lisa Riley ‘a friend for life’(Image: ITV)
Dominic has also been vocal about wanting Emmerdale to show more of Paddy’s ongoing mental health battle. In 2023, the beloved vet was diagnosed with depression after struggling with isolation and grief.
Since then, he has been linked to Andy’s Man Club, a national men’s mental health charity. “I’d like to see more mention of the fact that it still relies on the Samaritans and Andy’s Man club, but they’re going to sprinkle a bit of that,” Dominic says.
“He has to have one eye on the fact that this can come back and a dog attack can spring it back up. This happens to people with depression – they can feel well for years and then they’re back there. Nobody’s ever out of the woods.”
Away from the cameras, Dominic keeps busy. He plays the mandolin and has a fascination for archeology – he’s even studied it. “I get these intense obsessions that last about four to five years, then I’ll get bored very quickly and drop it all, it’s weird,” he says. “I return to them but they become more of a hobby than an obsession.”
Still, it’s Emmerdale that holds his heart. “It’s still an incredible job,” he says, “I’m still nervous when I have masses of lines to do and really well-written scenes.
But it’s one of the best jobs in the world. As long as they keep writing these storylines, I’m sold. I’m very loyal to the show and I still love it to pieces.”
THIS is the moment a huge pile-up takes place on a motorway, involving multiple cars, a caravan and a huge 30-tonne heavy goods vehicle.
But while the destruction and terror brought about by the incident are all very real, not all is as it seems.
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Channel 4 recreates motorway chaos for Pile Up – The World’s Biggest Crash TestCredit: Peter Sandground
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Heart-stopping moment cars and a 30-tonne lorry collide in a high-speed pile-upCredit: Peter Sandground
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Eight vehicles, including a caravan and lorry, crash in a controlled experimentCredit: Peter Sandground
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Remote-controlled cars simulate real-life motorway pile-up in groundbreaking studyCredit: Peter Sandground
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Four unaware drivers face a simulated crash to test reactions and safety systemsCredit: Peter Sandground
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Over 90 cameras capture every detail of the staged high-speed motorway collisionCredit: Peter Sandground
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Experiment highlights crash dynamics, vehicle safety flaws and driver behaviourCredit: Peter Sandground
Indeed, the high-speed crash was all part of a carefully planned experiment conducted as part of a Channel 4documentary titled Pile Up – The World’s Biggest Crash Test.
Carried out at a former RAF base in Scotland, the experiment involved recreating a high-speed motorway pile-up with eight vehicles and a 30-tonne lorry.
The team used an almost 2-mile-long stretch of road, which was presumably an aircraft runway, and included white lines, a hard shoulder and motorway-grade varioguard barriers to make everything as realistic as possible.
Professor James Brighton and his team from Cranfield University’s Advanced Vehicle Engineering Centre led the study, which thankfully utilised cars that were remote-controlled from ‘pods’ but driven at motorway speeds.
Four members of the public took part, each selected to represent a cross-section of road users.
To make the pile-up as realistic as possible and to capture genuine reactions, the four selected drivers had no knowledge of the true nature of the experiment.
They were revealed as 19-year-old Caitlyn, who represents inexperienced drivers aged 17 to 24; Luke, 26, a “boy racer,” reflecting young male drivers who account for 65% of serious injuries or deaths; 66-year-old Lynn, representing older drivers aged 60+; and Tito, 57, a surfer and international driver familiar with UK and US road differences.
All four believed they were taking part in an experiment to improve motorway safety and advance their driving skills and were unaware they would be involved in a high-speed multi-car pile-up.
As they drove along at speed, a lorry swerved into their lanes to simulate a pile-up.
Heart-stopping moment out-of-control driver speeds at woman on pavement missing her by inches before ploughing into shop
Over 90 cameras, drones and black boxes were used to capture the moment of impact, recording crash dynamics, vehicle data and driver reactions.
The experiment provides valuable insights into crash dynamics, safety systems and human behaviour during multi-vehicle accidents, while also highlighting areas for improvement in vehicle design and accident analysis.
The aftermath of the crash replicated several intricate details, such as a car sliding under the lorry and also demonstrated crumple zones, which are effective at absorbing impacts and saving lives.
Statistics on road safety
Multi-vehicle crashes: Account for nearly 20% of all fatal road accidents in the UK (2020 data)
Frequency of accidents: Someone is killed or injured on British roads every 16 minutes
Injury and death rates: In 2022, almost 75,000 car occupants were injured, and nearly 800 died
Speeding: 45% of UK drivers exceed motorway speed limits; speeding is a factor in 24% of fatal crashes
Seatbelt use: 24% of drivers killed weren’t wearing seatbelts
For example, despite a massive rear shunt from a van, the Prius’ electric battery remained intact.
Afterwards, Marcus Rowe, a crash investigator, was sent to the scene of the accident – having not witnessed the crash – to figure out what happened using crash forensics.
One concerning finding was that airbags might not always deploy and largely depend on where the vehicle is hit, showing that safety systems can struggle with multiple impacts.
One thing that can’t be determined is a driver’s reaction in the heat of the moment, as one panicked motorist accelerated into the lorry, despite having come to a stop safely.
Lastly, it found that the hard shoulder is a dangerous place to be, as any drivers or passengers in the cars on the mock-up hard shoulder would most likely have lost their lives.
Speaking on the experiment, David Twohig, an Automotive Engineering Consultant, said: “The beauty of a lab-based crash test is everything is controlled.
“Everything is repeatable, but unfortunately, the real world is not a laboratory, and there are many, many variables.
“It might be the weather conditions, it might be the friction of the road surface, it might be temperature, humidity, the state of the driver, the mood of the driver – so I think that’s the limitation of the lab, it’s almost too good.”
Pile Up – World’s Biggest Crash Test airs Sunday 15 June at 9pm on Channel 4.
A BRIDGERTON star has revealed a phone thief threatened to stab her in a cafe attack before she bravely tackled him.
Genevieve Chenneour was sitting in a Joe & The Juice in Kensington, South West London when the terrifying ordeal happened.
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Genevieve Chenneour told This Morning about her ordealCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Genevieve plays Clara Livingston in the Netflix show Bridgerton
Zacariah Boulares snuck up behind the 27-year-old and swiped her phone on February 8.
Genevieve – who plays Clara Livingston in the hit Netflix show – revealed that the “full on scrap” lasted for about five minutes.
She pinned the 18-year-old thief to the floor but has now said he threatened to stab her.
“I was threatened with being stabbed, so it became a matter of life and death,” she told ITV.
“I remember kicking him back with my leg to create space in case he had a weapon on him.”
She described it as a “life-changing, crazy moment”.
The star said the ordeal has left her feeling scared to venture outside and she has even left her home in the capital to take a “break” from the lawless city.
Astonishing footage from police showed Genevieve grabbing Boulares’ shoulder as she realised her phone had been taken.
She then tackled the serial thief to the ground with the help of another customer.
Genevieve managed to take her phone back from Boulares before repeatedly hitting him with it in the posh cafe.
She previously claimed she suffered a concussion in the horror in February and said even her dog was “traumatised”.
The star added: “They didn’t expect me to stand up for myself – but I did.”
Algerian national Boulares previously pleaded guilty to stealing the phone.
The teen also admitted common assault against fellow Joe and the Juice customer Carlo Kurcishi, who had stepped in to help.
Boulares pleaded guilty to a separate charge of theft after he swiped a black leather hand bag from a diner at a pizza restaurant.
The court heard he has 12 previous convictions for a total of 28 offences – all relating to theft.
