Stranded motorist's tribute to Forest
A motorist who got stuck in the snow has paid tribute to a community-spirited Forester who got him home safely.
When Art Burns' Mazda MX5 could go no further in Bream, a kind-hearted resident told him he'd be back in 10 minutes to pick him up and ferry him home.
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GRATEFUL: Art Burns got stuck in the snow.
"He was so kind," said Art, 54, who hails from Liverpool but has lived in the Forest of Dean for more than 20 years.
"I was helped to get the car to the side of the road, then he asked where I was heading.
"He said he'd be back in 10 minutes, and he was, presumably with his wife and daughter, and he gave me a lift home in his 4x4."
Art, a merchandising manager for Somerfield, was heading home from work in Bristol when blizzard conditions worsened late on Wednesday, December 23.
His journey had been plagued with problems having finished work at 3.30pm.
At 4.15pm he arrived at Lydney only to get stuck behind a stranded lorry on Bream Road.
He finally reached the B4228, but the police had closed it, so he turned around and headed back to Bream where he met the man who gave him a lift home.
He was eventually dropped off near his home in Coalway, Coleford at 8.30pm.
"There were people out in Bream with yellow hi-vis jackets on, helping others out," said Art, who is married to Linda, 51. "They were just fabulous.
"I asked the name of the chap who gave me a lift back but I was so tired I forgot it.
"I would like to say thank you. He didn't know me but put himself out to get me home. It just shows fantastic community spirit. There was no-one official here, just locals who wanted to help."
5 Comments
by Tim, Forest
Monday, January 04 2010, 8:15PM
“I got stuck and was ablely assisted from Andy Wilson from AJW cars,when I got stuck. I never got a chance to thank him properly as he proceeded to pull the cars behind out as well. Andy, thank you”
by JOHN, RFOD
Saturday, January 02 2010, 9:05PM
“Hello all, Generally us folk of the RFOD are a friendly bunch.
We cannot allot views of the one to those of the many, but...
I was going to do an impersonation of an idiot, but I see that Mark Barber on his Blackberry has beaten me to it!”
by Margaret, gloucestershire
Saturday, January 02 2010, 9:04PM
“I have always found the foresters very helpful, kind and community minded.
The Forest-of-Dean is a really beautiful place, with the snow glistening on the trees at Christmas it was absolutely fantastic.”
by laughingatyou, brizol
Saturday, January 02 2010, 8:03PM
“who in their right mind would go near you mark barber.”
by Mal, Local
Saturday, January 02 2010, 11:26AM
“I remember from my youth,many decades ago,there was a newspaper that ran a series named "Knights of the Road".
It used to be focused on lorry drivers,mainly.
It's good to see that some drivers still show gallantry in their actions.”