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Dappy in bridge rescue
By Kit Heren
kit@southwarknews.co.uk Former N-Dubz rapper Dappy helped talk a suicidal man off Tower Bridge last month.
A video posted online shows Dappy, whose real name is Costadinos Contostavlos, on Tower Bridge, waiting as friends tell police officers that the man had asked to speak to him. Police eventually let him approach the man. In the video another man advises Dappy not to take a photo with the person he is helping rescue. Dappy told the man thinking about jumping: “I’m going to drive you to your doorstep. I’m going to take you home. Please man.” The rapper had reportedly been on Tower Bridge to film a music video. Dappy’s girlfriend Imani Campbell said in another video posted onto his Instagram Stories page that the man he spoke to was now “alive and well”. “I truly believe the universe sent us to that bridge so Daps could save this young man’s life,” she said. “As soon as he recognised Daps his whole demeanour
Southwark News, Thursday July 8 2021
Dappy with cousin and former bandmate Tulisa Contostavlos
As soon as he recognised Daps his whole demeanour changed
changed, we saw hope appear in his eyes… “Daps told him his life is precious and that he loves him… he talked him off the bridge… the man and his family reached out and he is alive and well.” It comes after we reported last week on possible plans by City of London corporation to install nets on the sides of Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge, after a spate of recent suicide attempts on the river. Camden man Dappy, 34, was one third of pop rap group N-Dubz from 2000-2011, alongside his cousin Tulisa Contostavlos and Fazer. He has since embarked on a solo career and recently released his latest single ‘Bolo’. When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@ samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans. org to find your nearest branch.
Elephant blaze caused by ‘electrical fault in car’
By Katherine Johnston
London Fire Brigade’s investors said last week's fire was most likely accidental and started due to a fault inside a car in a spray booth. Six hundred people were evacuated from the area after an enormous fireball
and plumes of thick, black smoke erupted from a garage in Elephant Road on June 28 from shortly before 2pm Three commercial units were completely destroyed by the blaze. Four men left the scene before the Brigade arrived, six people were treated by the London Ambulance Service on site and one person was taken to hospital. The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 46 calls to the blaze, which was brought under control by 5.58pm.
The alarm had been raised by a flat resident from an upper floor who could smell smoke coming from below. The outbreak was under control by 12.57pm with the help of two fire engines and ten firefighters from West Norwood and Norbury stations. Inspectors now believe the fire started from an extractor fan failure in a ventilation system. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters arrived to find a small fire within an extraction system in the basement. “Cannabis factory fires can be
particularly dangerous because of the way criminals use unsafe wiring to illegally obtain electricity in order to grow the plants. "They're often in top floors or lofts which means when a fire takes hold it spreads, destroying roofs and damaging neighbouring buildings. "Firefighters can also be exposed to risks when dealing with the fires because of bad wiring and traps at some of the properties. "It's important that people know the key signs and inform the police so that they can act swiftly to prevent these dangerous fires from happening.”
katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A huge blaze in the arches near Elephant and Castle railway station is believed to have been caused by an ‘electrical fault’.
Suspected Crystal Palace cannabis factory caught fire DUE TO fan FAILURE
Brigade warns of the ‘dangerous wiring at cannabis factories’ By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk
A suspected cannabis factory fire in Crystal Palace was caused by an ‘extractor fan failure’.
Firefighters were called to a shop with flats above in Westow Hill on Saturday, July 3 after a blaze broke out shortly after 11am.
Croquet enthusiasts to play game for 26 hours straight By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Two croquet enthusiasts from Dulwich are playing the game for 26 hours straight to raise funds for their club and Parkinson’s UK, after fellow players were diagnosed with the condition.
Guy Scurfield and Peter Haydon hope to raise £5,000 to be divided between the charity and Dulwich Sports Club. The challenge will begin on Saturday, July 24, with different partners joining for every hour of the event. “We did the event last year for 25 hours for our local hospice which was great fun, which is why we are doing the extra hour this year,” Guy explained. “It was so good to get the club as a whole pulling together, wanting to take part and supporting our efforts. "Seeing the sun rise, and playing the final hour with our wives was pretty amazing. “We’ve chosen Parkinson’s UK because some club members have Parkinson’s, so we have personally seen the impact that the condition has.
“Croquet helps offset, just a little, the impact of Parkinson’s, which is wonderful. Keeping active generally is really important for helping to manage the symptoms.” Parkinson’s has no cure and affects around 145,000 people in the UK. Its range of symptoms include tremors, pain and anxiety, but each person diagnosed will be affected differently. Simona Southgate, regional fundraiser for London at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are really grateful to Peter, Guy and all those people supporting this fantastic challenge. We wish them the very best of luck. “With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. “While we’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough. Fundraising for Parkinson’s UK helps us drive forward the groundbreaking research we need to transform the lives of people with Parkinson’s”. To support Guy and Peter’s fundraising, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/26hoursofcroquet To find out how to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK visit parkinsons.org. uk/fundraising
