Latest news with #Eccles
NZ Herald
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Promoters optimistic as NZ events industry shows promising summer lineup
Brent Eccles, co-founder of Eccles Entertainment, says he's had to ask staff not to take leave over Christmas. 'A lot of the festivals, the usual suspects are booking those acts and it looks pretty attractive in terms of the line-ups ... that they have.' Layton Lillas, president of the New Zealand Promoters Association, relayed the same optimism after speaking with others in the field. 'I'm not sensing any panic or pessimism or negativity.' Eccles said the idea that New Zealand was overlooked by international tours had largely become outdated. 'We get a lot of shows coming here. A lot more than we used to. So, as far as the overall industry is concerned, I think it looks pretty good.' It's not just the superstars pulling crowds to our venues. Eccles says more international tours are coming to our shores than ever before. Photo / 123rf Smaller ones like the Powerstation and Auckland Town Hall are humming with events, giving emerging artists the space to promote themselves and grow. 'Benson Boone's a great example. We started at the Tuning Fork [three years ago], and now we're playing Spark Arena," Eccles said. The buoyant attitude follows years of instability, with the uncertainty of a global pandemic and economic stagnation hitting the events sector particularly hard. 'We're coming out of a sort of public malaise towards buying tickets and going out, and people are buying tickets ... for the things they want to go to,' Lillas said. Even with ongoing financial challenges, Lillas said audiences were still willing to spend on entertainment, as long as the experience felt worth the cost. 'If things are falling over, it's very simple that the proposition is not attractive enough for the price that people are expected to pay. 'And that's for us, as promoters, to find that sweet spot.' Layton Lillas, president of the New Zealand Promoters Association, is confident the upcoming events season will be a success. Photo / Riley Churchman A key lesson from recent years is that recycled line-ups and unimaginative programmes no longer cut it. 'There's always a place for something new and original,' Lillas said. 'But just regurgitating the same old stuff, yeah, that's not going to always work.' The success of Synthony's sold-out Full Metal Orchestra over the weekend highlighted the public's appetite for something different. 'You're giving the public something unique, something interesting, something they haven't seen before. AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd performs at Manuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra at Spark Arena on Saturday night. Photo / RadLab 'And, what do you know, they're paying to come see it.' However, the past few years have created some friction around public trust. Disruptions from global artists, such as last-minute rescheduling and cancellations, have frustrated fans who often travel across the motu and spend hundreds on flights and accommodation. Drake postponed his two Auckland concerts mere weeks before the dates, while Travis Scott moved his midweek Eden Park concert forward by 24 hours. Fans could have their tickets refunded, but many were still left out of pocket. Despite these concerns, Eccles said most shows in Aotearoa were safe bets to put your money on. 'If I was a punter out there, I would be going to venues that have a history of regular performance ... you're better to stick with the tried and true.' Promoters, too, need to be selective about who they book to avoid the responsibility of shouldering a bad deal. 'The repercussions are huge. Be prepared to walk on and go and promote someone else or ... don't invest in things that you don't have the bank balance to actually deal with,' Lillas said. But as summer inches closer, both Eccles and Lillas are confident that this season will be a breakthrough. 'There's going to be a lot of shows out there ... I feel very positive about it,' said Eccles. 'I think we're in a good place,' echoed Lillas. 'There's more than our fair share of choice of shows to attend ... Hopefully it carries on like that. Long may it continue.' Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023.
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Salford: Changes considered after bus crashes into bridge
Transport bosses are looking at changing routes and adding more warning signs after a double decker bus crashed into a vehicle's roof was torn off as it struck the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct on Barton Lane in Eccles, Salford on Monday, with three people seriously injured and 17 others also Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester Vernon Everitt said passengers' safety was the Bee Network's "top priority" as he revealed Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had asked him to produce an "urgent report" on the well as a police investigation, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched its own probe into the crash. A 19-year-old woman, and two men, one aged in his 20s and another in his 40s, sustained serious injuries and remain in hospital in a stable condition, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) driver, a man in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and has been bailed pending further inquiries. Everitt said TfGM is fully supporting GMP's investigation and all available CCTV from the bus has now been recovered by the operator, Stagecoach, and passed to the was working with Stagecoach, Salford City Council as the local highway authority and Peel, as the owner of the aqueduct, on its own probe into the collision, he includes why the 100 service bus was "not taking its usual route", a TFGM spokesman have also agreed several short-term measures to be implemented as soon as possible including new and additional warning measures – including further signage at and near the has also sought reassurances from bus operators, local authorities and others with responsibility for managing and maintaining low bridges about how they will mitigate measures to prevent further strikes. Everitt said it was looking at potentially re-routing services away from the Barton Lane said Burnham has asked him to look into the circumstances around the crash and make recommendations about wider implications for safety on the network."I have heard very clearly the concern from the local community that there have been many other collisions at this location over many years," the transport commissioner said he has also spoken to the head of a bus operator involved in a separate collision into a low bridge on Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath on Tuesday.A Metroline Manchester training bus was being driven by a trainee driver when it struck a bridge, but no passengers were onboard, and nobody was injured. Everitt said that incident would be thoroughly investigated, too, and form part of his said it was also helping to support those impacted by the "deeply distressing event"."Our commitment to safe operations is absolute. "Core to this will be the further development of a Bee Network safety standard, as part of our long-term Vision Zero strategy and plan to eliminate death and serious injuries on the city region's roads." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
At the same bridge, it keeps happening again and again
At the same bridge, it keeps happening again and again For the fourth time in just over five years, at least, the roof of a double-decker bus thrashed against the same Eccles bridge. Three people are in hospital for serious injuries after a Bee Network bus ploughed into a low bridge at Barton Lane on Monday (July 21). The roof of the vehicle, a number 100 bus which was not following its usual route, sliced off on impact with the Bridgewater Canal aqueduct. READ MORE: Boy, 15, dies after crash on Greater Manchester estate READ MORE: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after boy, 15, dies following e-bike crash Images of the aftermath resembled scenes that Barton Lane had already witnessed on three separate occasions over recent years - with neighbouring residents claiming the real number of buses colliding with the bridge is even higher. ADVERTISEMENT Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here The Manchester Evening News has now reported on four double-decker buses smashing into the Bridgewater Canal aqueduct since 2020. Two collisions came before the Bee Network was rolled out across Salford, with the first involving a Go North West bus on June 12, 2020. The first bus involved in a crash in 2020 -Credit:ABNM Photography Three passengers suffered minor injuries following the collision, the company said at the time. Images showed the roof of the bus appeared to be bent backwards following impact with the structure. In 2023, two buses lost their roofs by ploughing into the same bridge in the space of eight months, with the first involving a Diamond bus on April 10. An eyewitness said: "It was around 9pm when the bus was approaching the bridge. A bus lost its roof on April 10, 2023 -Credit:Submitted "I thought it was going to stop when they (the driver) realised the height restriction but it just carried on. Luckily there were no passengers on board. ADVERTISEMENT "The bus drove all way under which peeled the top off with ease. Police responded and closed both sides." Almost eight months later on December 5, 2023, the roof of another bus was trashed at the same spot, this time involving a Bee Network bus three months into the new service's roll-out. Again, no passengers were involved. A bus crashed into the bridge on December 5, 2023 -Credit:Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News Monday's collision was the most severe to take place, with 20 people injured to some extent. Greater Manchester Police says a 19-year-old woman and two men, one in his 20s and one in his 40s, were seriously injured. They were taken to hospital, where they remain today (Tuesday) in a stable condition. Seventeen other people were treated at the scene for less severe injuries, GMP says. But those who live in the area claim there have been more than just four such crashes. And they are furious that more is not being done to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences. ADVERTISEMENT Local, Andrew Fisher, 44, told the M.E.N.: "I've been here 15 years and it's happened about six or seven times. "They used to have a wooden beam hanging at each end of the bridge that showed the depth of it. "That used to get hit first, now and then they might stop. But it's been been hit that many times that that's gone too. "If the wooden beam was there, or had been replaced, it would have hit that first. That's a major thing that could help. "But there's got to be a bit of human error too, driving up to that." Fellow resident Natalie, 28, agreed, saying: "I've lived here a year and a half and have seen at least two or three in that time. "But I don't think enough is being done. I think it's a lot of arrogance on the part of the driver. I don't know what goes through their mind or how it ends up happening - they think they can fit through it but they can't. ADVERTISEMENT "I don't think there's much being done and there needs to be. A lot of people were on that bus and there was a lot of people that went to hospital, something needs to be done, it could have been much worse." Emergency services in attendance on Monday -Credit:Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News In response, a Salford City Council spokesperson said of yesterday's crash: "We are unable to provide specific details at this time due to an ongoing police investigation. Salford City Council and TfGM are fully cooperating with the authorities. "Initial checks have been undertaken and confirmed that regulatory road signage is present in the area. "Further measures will be considered, in collaboration with our partners at GMP and TfGM, to enhance signage and improve warning systems to help prevent future accidents." Describing the circumstances of yesterday's crash, a GMP spokesperson explained: "It is believed that the bus had come off its normal expected route. "The driver fails to comply with height restriction warnings, including hanging chains and signage, and collides with a low-level aqueduct. "As a result, the top level of the bus is torn off and causes a member of the public to be ejected from the top deck of the bus." The bus driver, a man in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and has since been bailed pending further investigations. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, said on Monday: 'First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone on board the bus. "Our absolute focus has been on supporting emergency services in their response, with some people treated at the scene and some taken to hospital. "An immediate and urgent investigation into the circumstances is underway and we are working closely with the investigation team at Greater Manchester Police and the bus operator, Stagecoach. 'This is clearly a distressing situation for everyone involved and we'd like to thank emergency services for their swift response.' GMP's serious collision investigation unit is now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. Officers are also keen to speak to anyone who may have any footage, including dashcam, mobile phone or doorbell footage, from the area in the moments leading up to the collision. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 2226 of July 21, 2025. Alternatively, details can be shared on the LiveChat function on GMP's website or with the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Eccles bus crash: Mum's shock as son tells of bridge ordeal
A mother has told how her "heart was in my mouth" when her son called to say he was onboard a double-decker bus that crashed into a bridge and left 20 people people were seriously hurt when the vehicle's roof was torn off as it struck the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct on Barton Lane in Eccles, Salford, on O'Hagan said her 22-year-old son Sammy Hofman was left "shaken up" but was thankfully on the lower deck."When he rang I said please tell me you are not on that bus. He said, 'Mum, I was but I'm not hurt'. It's traumatic to think 'what if'. How lucky was it he was sitting downstairs?" The bus driver, a man in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and has been bailed pending further inquiries.A 19-year-old woman and two men, one aged in his 20s and another in his 40s, suffered serious injuries and remain in hospital in a stable other people were treated at the scene and five others had injuries which didn't require treatment. Ms O'Hagan said: "My heart was in my mouth when Sammy called me. It was such a shock. He was really shaken up." The mother, who lives in Eccles, said her son was on his way home from the Trafford Centre shopping precinct where he works and was due to get off at the next stop when the bus crashed. She said the state of the bus after the crash was "unbelievable" and she was "so grateful everyone survived it". Ms O'Hagan, who works at Trafford Park, said her son told her all the passengers were helping each other after the crash."He said he helped a young girl who had been upstairs get glass out of her hair," she O'Hagan added that she remembers a bus previously had its roof ripped off after striking the same bridge in April 2023, although fortunately nobody was injured on that occasion. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Bus driver arrested after 20 people injured in Manchester crash
The driver of a double-decker bus that crashed into a bridge in Manchester, injuring 20 people, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. The bus had collided with the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct on Barton Lane in Eccles, Greater Manchester, on Monday. A passenger was ejected from the top deck of the bus during the incident, which also tore off the top level of the vehicle. Greater Manchester Police said in a statement that the driver, a man in his 50s, has since been bailed pending further investigations. It added that three people - a 19-year-old female and two men, aged 20 and 40 - who sustained serious injuries remain in hospital in a stable condition. Seventeen others were treated at the scene for injuries. Officers believe the bus had come off its expected route, and that the driver failed to comply with height restriction warnings, including hanging chains and signage. A major incident was declared by North West Ambulance Service after the incident, with 10 emergency ambulances, advanced paramedics, the Hazard Area Response Team and North West Air Ambulance dispatched. Read more from Sky News: Transport for Greater Manchester said the bus was a 100 service and was in operation at the time of the incident. The service departs from Shudehill and travels to Salford, Trafford Centre, and Warrington. The location where the incident took place did not appear to be on the Bee Network Route map for the 100 service.
