Good Samaritans come to aid of victim of black ice

Dec 8 2010 By Camilla Goodman, Buckinghamshire Examiner

A MAN who slipped on black ice and broke his leg is saying a big thank you to the Good Samaritans who helped him.

Elliott Rodgers, of Ashwood Drive, Chesham, was walking along Lowndes Avenue last Thursday morning when he slipped on some ice, which he believes was created by someone defrosting their car with water, and fractured his left shinbone.

Mr Rodgers tried to make it back to his home but gave up after about 100 yards because of the pain. However, he was eventually helped by two men in a gritter lorry who stopped when they spotted him.

He said: "It was ridiculously painful. Five people drove past before the gritter lorry stopped.

"The men were brilliant; one gave me his high-visibility jacket so I wasn't sitting on the ice.

"They stayed with me until the ambulance came.

"Everyone is bad-mouthing Bucks highways authority at the moment because of the roads but they really were great. I am so thankful."

While Mr Rodgers was being assisted, a woman also pulled over to ask if she could do anything and, shortly afterwards, two PCSOs walking by also stopped and stayed with Mr Rodgers until he was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

"The ambulance crew and hospital were great despite being busy. I was their 12th person in with a broken leg that day because of slips and falls."

Mr Rodgers now faces several weeks in a cast and physiotherapy, forcing him to change his Christmas plans and cancel a planned canal boat trip in the spring.

He said: "I was thrilled and thought it was fantastic when it snowed.

"I love going out in it with my dog, Sheppie; it still looks pretty but all I can do now is sit and look at it out of my window.

"I'm going to have to reschedule my plans."

* Have you had a fall because of the snow? Email camillagood man@trinitysouth.co.uk.