Soltalk January 2018 | Page 22

News
Parrot first

Driver praised after train derailment

The driver of the train from Málaga to Sevilla which derailed at the end of November is being praised for his skill in preventing a major tragedy . Around 35 people suffered light injuries in the incident , but two were more seriously hurt with multiple fractures .
A South American species of bird has started breeding in Málaga . It is the first time chicks of the scaly-headed parrot ( Pionus maximilianii ) have been recorded being reared in the wild outside its home lands . The species can be bought legally in pet shops and it is assumed that those living free in the city have escaped or been released from captivity .
Workplace fall
A 41-year-old man was injured in Coín last month after falling six metres from a roof . He is reported to have been carrying out repairs on a property in calle Huelva . The emergency services confirmed he was conscious while being taken to hospital while the Works Inspector had been advised of the workplace accident .
FC praised
Alhaurín de la Torre ’ s town council has praised the town ’ s football club which has expelled fans heard insulting the female referee during an away match at Fuengirola . It also noted the courage of Eva Alcaide in denouncing the abuse hurled at her . Sports councillor Prudencio J . Ruiz says the town will work with the club so that such incidents do not happen again .
Caravan fire
A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were injured last month in a caravan fire in Álora . The alarm was raised when the blaze broke out in the vehicle which was parked at a country property . The emergency services said the couple had suffered fractures and cuts in the incident .
Reservoir plans
Proposals for a new water sports centre on the Viñuela reservoir have been published in the Official Provincial Gazette . Viñuela Town Council are reported to be in negotiation with the Real Club Mediterráneo de Málaga to build facilities for rowing training and competitions . The site chosen is at the southern end of the reservoir , close to the hotel and recreational area .
The 7.40am train from Málaga with around 80 people on board derailed at about 10.21am in countryside about 40 kilometres short of its destination . The end of one carriage came completely off the rails while the other two cars were also derailed .
Farm labourers were first on the scene , soon followed by the emergency services who had to use tractors , quad bikes and army vehicles to reach the accident area which had become a quagmire after heavy rainfall . Light injuries were treated at the scene , but a 51-year-old man with a broken pelvis and an elderly woman with several fractures were both airlifted to hospital in Sevilla .
The cause of the derailment is being attributed to flood water which washed
Spain will have a Plan B in place to protect its tourism sector if no Brexit deal between the UK and the EU is forthcoming . The assurance was given last month in Madrid by the Secretary of State for European Affairs , Jorge Toledo Albiñana .
The UK is the most important single market for holiday-makers visiting Spain with around 18 million Britons flying here last year . Tourism is a key factor in the recovery of the Spanish economy and Madrid wants to ensure the Brits keep coming here , whatever the outcome of Brexit .
Sr Toledo said that a “ national-based solution ” would be implemented if there is no wide-ranging deal on aviation agreed . He said that Spain has around four months to formulate a away the ballast supporting the tracks , leaving them buckled along a 100 metre stretch , with some even suspended in mid-air . The train driver became aware that the train , travelling at around 120 kilometres per hour , was sinking into the ground and immediately closed the throttle and applied the emergency brakes , although the train still took 200 metres to come to rest . His prompt action has been praised for preventing a much more serious accident .
Alternative transport by road was offered to passengers travelling to Sevilla from Málaga , Granada and Almería until the track was repaired and reopened .

Tourism Plan B to beat Brexit back-up plan because airlines tend to make their flight plans one year in advance and the UK plans to leave the EU in March 2019 .

If the present talks collapse , Spain would face disruption , not only because of the tourism and commercial links , but also because of the role played in the UK economy by Spanish firms , such as Banco Santander . Ryanair has even suggested there could be months with no flights between the UK and Europe , a view dismissed in Whitehall , while Easyjet is establishing an EU business based in Vienna . Others say that , because the EU has as much to lose as the UK , the absence of a deal would result in a fall back onto bilateral agreements on flights . However , in this event , flights and schedules would be more limited .
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