4.51°C Vancouver

Jan 29, 2020 9:40 PM -

Expat family expecting baby soon hopes Britain can get them out of China

Share On
plane-arranged-to-fly-160-canadians-out-of-wuhan
Tom Williams along with his wife Lauren and son James are seen in this undated handout photo. Tom Williams is a British expat who has been living and working for about five years in Wuhan, which is the capital of Hubei province in China. His wife Lauren, who is from Langley, B.C., is about 35 weeks pregnant, he said in a telephone interview from Wuhan. He also has a two-and-a-half-year-old son, James, who was born in White Rock, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Tom Williams *MANDATORY CREDIT*

A pregnant Canadian woman, her young Canadian son and Tom Williams, the child's British father, are the latest to share their concerns about getting out of Wuhan, the Chinese epicentre of an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus.

Williams says his wife is 35-weeks pregnant and his son is under three years of age, and the whole family is waiting for word about whether they will be allowed to depart Wuhan later today on a flight organized by the British government.

As they were waiting, the Canadian government announced it has arranged a plane to fly 160 Canadians out of Wuhan -- but details are still being worked out and there's no word if Williams and his family will be on it.

An outbreak of the novel flu-like respiratory illness began in Wuhan late last year, infecting more than six-thousand people and spreading to other countries, including Canada, although health officials here say the risk of transmission remains low.

Latest news

alberta-announces-10-new-school-projects-for-edmonton-to-address-classroom-shortages
AlbertaMar 09, 2026

Alberta announces 10 new school projects for Edmonton to address classroom shortages

The Alberta government says it will move ahead with 10 new school projects in Edmonton as part of efforts to address growing classroom shortages linked to rapid population growth. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced the projects under the province’s 2026 budget. The announcement brings the total number of public school projects currently underway in Edmonton to 37. According to the Alberta Ministry of Education, the newly announced projects include eight new schools and two replacement schools. The facilities are planned primarily for fast-growing suburban areas of the city whe
BCMar 09, 2026

Cranbrook RCMP investigate targeted shooting at residence on 3rd Avenue South

Cranbrook RCMP say they are investigating a shooting that targeted a residence Sunday night in the city’s downtown area. Police said officers were called at about 9:22 p.m. on March 8 to a report of gunfire at a home in the 300 block of 3rd Avenue South. According to an RCMP news release, investigators located evidence consistent with gunshots and secured the area to allow forensic examination. No injuries were reported. Staff Sgt. Barry Graham of the Cranbrook RCMP said early indications suggest the incident was not random. “While the investigation is in its infancy, early indications are
surrey-police-launch-s-o-a-r-youth-safety-program-during-child-exploitation-awareness-week
CanadaMar 09, 2026

Surrey Police launch S.O.A.R. youth safety program during child exploitation awareness week

The Surrey Police Service has launched a youth safety initiative aimed at helping students recognize and respond to risks such as online exploitation, substance use and unhealthy relationships. The program, called S.O.A.R. – Strength, Opportunity, Autonomy, Resilience – is an interactive presentation designed for students in Grades 6 to 10. Police say the initiative is being highlighted during Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week, which runs from March 9 to 15. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, the program has reached more than 4,500 students s
foreign-national-sentenced-to-four-years-after-cbsa-finds-undeclared-firearms-at-victoria-ferry-terminal
CanadaMar 09, 2026

Foreign national sentenced to four years after CBSA finds undeclared firearms at Victoria ferry terminal

A 44-year-old foreign national has been sentenced to four years in prison following a Canadian Border Services Agency investigation into firearms offences at a British Columbia port of entry. According to the Canadian Border Services Agency, Reuben Velasquez was sentenced on Feb. 3, 2026, in Williams Lake Provincial Court after being convicted of two offences under the Criminal Code: possession of a loaded, prohibited or restricted firearm without authorization or licence under section 95(1), and unauthorized possession of a firearm under section 91(1). The charges stem from an incident on Sep
suspect-arrested-after-atm-stolen-in-abbotsford-business-break-in-police-say
BCMar 09, 2026

Suspect arrested after ATM stolen in Abbotsford business break-in, police say

A man is in custody after an ATM was stolen during a break and enter at a business in Abbotsford late Sunday night, according to the Abbotsford Police Department. Police say officers responded at about 9:09 p.m. to a report of a break-in at a business in the 36300 block of Auguston Parkway in the city’s McKee area. According to police, suspects had already fled by the time officers arrived. The business sustained damage during the incident and an ATM was reported stolen. At approximately 9:41 p.m., a resident contacted police to report a suspicious vehicle near Wells Gray Avenue and McKinley

Related News