Slingsby,
most of what you say seems to be spot on, however this wasn't an engine failiure immediately after take off as you say, if it was, the crew didn't inform us until around BPK, which seems a little sporting
Furhermore, a runway inspection confirmed no debris.
Also as ATC and Flight crew have no pre warning of an engine failiures, then we can't really help it should one occur on take off and then fly over a populated area, such is the nature of LHR's location.
In summary, an incident that was handled in a text book fashion by both ATC, flight crew and fire service, where there were no injuries, just some ruined xmas's to add to the thousands of passengers that had the misfortune of having booked flights at the worlds most badly invested airport this month
