11.51°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

b-c-conservatives-face-another-blow-as-skeena-mla-claire-rattée-leaves-party
BCSep 18, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Face Another Blow as Skeena MLA Claire Rattée Leaves Party

B.C. Conservatives have suffered another setback as Skeena MLA Claire Rattée has left the party and joined the group of independent MLAs. Rattée is the 10th MLA to leave the B.C. Conservative caucus since August. Her move comes just two days after she publicly questioned the leadership of party leader Keri-Lynn Findlay and accused her of failing to keep the party united. Rattée also confirmed reports that at least 10 Conservative MLAs unhappy with Findlay’s leadership had signed a letter calling for her resignation. She said she was among those who signed the letter. Rattée accused Findl
BCSep 18, 2026

Car-Motorcycle Collision in Kelowna, Rider Killed

Kelowna RCMP has confirmed the death of a motorcycle rider following a crash on Highway 97 Thursday night. Police said the collision occurred at around 10 p.m. at the intersection of Harvey Avenue and Ethel Street, involving a black sedan and a motorcycle. The motorcycle caught fire shortly after the crash. Corporal Steven Lang said the motorcycle rider was pronounced dead when emergency crews and police arrived at the scene. The driver of the sedan remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with investigators. Highway 97 was closed in both directions between Richter Street and Gordon Driv
WorldSep 18, 2026

Steps Toward Mexico-U.S. Trade Deal After Trump-Sheinbaum Talks

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says Mexico and the United States have made progress toward a potential trade agreement following a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Speaking at her daily press conference on Friday, Sheinbaum said the conversation was “very good” and that the two leaders reached some agreements, although she did not disclose specific details. She said negotiations are moving in a positive direction and that Mexico is working to reach a deal while protecting its sovereignty and national interests. The two countries are continuing bilateral trade
BCSep 18, 2026

Advance Voting Begins in Abbotsford-Mission Byelection

Advance voting has begun today for the Abbotsford-Mission provincial byelection. According to Elections BC, eligible voters can cast their ballots at any designated voting location from September 18 to September 23, daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The final voting day for the byelection is September 26. The candidates include BC Conservative Party Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, BC NDP candidate Pam Alexis, Centre BC candidate Lakhwinder Kaur Jhajj, and Green Party candidate Stephen Fowler. The Abbotsford-Mission riding was previously won by Reann Gasper, who vacated the seat to allow Findlay to r
abbotsford-man-sentenced-to-11-5-years-for-drug-trafficking-and-gun-offences
BCSep 18, 2026

Abbotsford Man Sentenced to 11.5 Years for Drug Trafficking and Gun Offences

A 36-year-old man charged in connection with drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession in Abbotsford has been sentenced to 11 and a half years in prison. The investigation began in April 2025 after Abbotsford Police arrested Tyler Mison, who was allegedly driving despite being prohibited from doing so. Police said illegal drugs and a handgun were found during the arrest. Investigators later searched several locations linked to Mison, including a residence in the 31100 block of Deertrail Drive. Police seized more than 12 kilograms of drugs, including cocaine and crystal methamphetamine,

Related News