Manhole Outrage

Quote:
There was a time when Britons could leave the security of their homes and venture forth safe in the knowledge that in the unlikely event of falling down a manhole, their fellow citizens would at least have the courtesy to stop and enquire: "Hello, are you from the Water Board or are you down that manhole involuntarily?"

Not any more, as 65-year-old Clive Collins can attest. The poor bloke fell down a 5ft-deep manhole in a car park in Boscombe, Dorset, and was trapped for 45 minutes "while shoppers ignored his cries for help", the BBC explains.

Collins recalled: "Probably about 15, 20 people walked by. The more I called out, the less they seemed to notice me."

He continued: "What surprised me is that they didn't make eye contact. A woman actually parked along side my camper and put the hood up on her car.

"I said 'can you please call me an ambulance' and she refused to acknowledge the fact that I was there. One chap looked straight at me in his car driving very slowly by and I waved. He waved back and then carried on."

Collins was, despite having two broken ribs, able to fish his mobile out of his pocket and call 999. He was subsequently treated at Royal Bournemouth Hospital for said rib damage, plus a chipped tooth, a strained groin and other injuries requiring 47 stitches.

Bournemouth Borough Council spokeswoman Carly Earnshaw assured: "A full investigation is being carried out as to how this happened and if any vandalism on the manhole has taken place. In the meantime we would like to reassure residents that the site is now secure and that we do have policies in place to maintain our car parks."

http://www.theregister.com/2006/09/15/manhole_outrage/

"One chap looked straight at me in his car driving very slowly by and I waved. He waved back and then carried on."

Crikey. I think i would have stopped. I mean, a 65yr old isnt gonna mug ya! If it was a chav in the hole, you maaaay think its a trick, but even then, i would stop and ask if they are ok.

I hope people would help me if i had an accident!

Matt

A consequence of prank-related TV shows?

Poor bloke, but very funny after the event

Jabba - your probably right, actualy.

Matt

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Jabba - your probably right, actualy.

For the first and only time. Probably

Chav in a hole......the posibilities are endless........

[northwind]

I would have put the cover back on Well, at least it'd stop anyone else falling in. The needsd of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Ahh see the problem there is the manhole in question has shown a propensity to wander so I was thinking more fill the hole with cement to make sure.

Slowly mind you..you know...give people time to object

[Balky001]

So how much do you think he's going to sue for?

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Quote:
There was a time when Britons could leave the security of their homes and venture forth safe in the knowledge that in the unlikely event of falling down a manhole, their fellow citizens would at least have the courtesy to stop and enquire: "Hello, are you from the Water Board or are you down that manhole involuntarily?"

Not any more, as 65-year-old Clive Collins can attest. The poor bloke fell down a 5ft-deep manhole in a car park in Boscombe, Dorset, and was trapped for 45 minutes "while shoppers ignored his cries for help", the BBC explains.

Collins recalled: "Probably about 15, 20 people walked by. The more I called out, the less they seemed to notice me."

He continued: "What surprised me is that they didn't make eye contact. A woman actually parked along side my camper and put the hood up on her car.

"I said 'can you please call me an ambulance' and she refused to acknowledge the fact that I was there. One chap looked straight at me in his car driving very slowly by and I waved. He waved back and then carried on."

Collins was, despite having two broken ribs, able to fish his mobile out of his pocket and call 999. He was subsequently treated at Royal Bournemouth Hospital for said rib damage, plus a chipped tooth, a strained groin and other injuries requiring 47 stitches.

Bournemouth Borough Council spokeswoman Carly Earnshaw assured: "A full investigation is being carried out as to how this happened and if any vandalism on the manhole has taken place. In the meantime we would like to reassure residents that the site is now secure and that we do have policies in place to maintain our car parks."

http://www.theregister.com/2006/09/15/manhole_outrage/

"One chap looked straight at me in his car driving very slowly by and I waved. He waved back and then carried on."

OK..your an ambulance well that wouldve been my reply anyway