A man killed while on board a cruise ship, nearly 800 hospital jobs cut, a tree narrowly missing an Uber driver and VE Day celebrations were among the headlines in May 2025.
Police launched a murder investigation following the death of a man on a cruise ship that departed from Southampton.
A 57-year-old man from Exeter, who was a passenger on board the MSC Virtuosa, was arrested after the vessel returned to the city on Monday morning, having sailed to Bruges in Belgium on Saturday, May 3.
(Image: Harry Emery)
Police said a 60-year-old man died at around 8.30pm following an altercation on board. The man arrested has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Another major story in May saw an Uber driver escape serious injury after a tree fell onto his car on one of Southampton's busiest roads.
The incident happened on The Avenue during windy conditions when the tree crashed down onto a Toyota Corolla, narrowly missing the windscreen.
The driver was left shaken and suffered minor injuries, while the car was written off.
Recalling the moment, he said: "It sounded like a building was falling down." Southampton City Council said the tree had been surveyed last year and confirmed teams were sent to make the area safe and remove debris.
Significant concern was also prompted in May after University Hospital Southampton announced plans to cut almost 800 roles in a bid to save £110 million.
The trust said 620 permanent posts and 165 temporary roles would be affected.
David French CEO UHS NHS Foundation Trust
Chief executive David French said: "This move is designed to streamline how we work within our hospitals, and with other NHS service providers in the region, to better meet patient needs with the resources available to us.
"However, the cost-saving target we have been given is significant and requires us to reduce our workforce by 785 full-time equivalent roles, mostly in non-clinical posts."
The month also saw events held across the city to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
From care home celebrations and street parties to remembrance services, the anniversary was commemorated across the county.
In Luccombe Place, around 100 people gathered for a street party, with organiser Nancy John saying "the whole road had come together" to mark the occasion.
(Image: Newsquest)
Similar events took place nearby in Pentire Avenue, Bridlington Avenue and Dawlish Avenue, where residents organised quizzes, music and dancing.
The anniversary marks the day Allied countries declared victory in Europe during the Second World War, and communities across Southampton came together to celebrate the occasion.